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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/11311-0.txt b/11311-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98bbfe6 --- /dev/null +++ b/11311-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9077 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11311 *** + +The MASTERS of the PEAKS + +A STORY OF THE GREAT NORTH WOODS + + +BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER + +1918 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Masters of the Peaks," while presenting a complete story in +itself is the fourth volume of the French and Indian War Series, of +which the predecessors were "The Hunters of the Hills," "The Shadow +of the North," and "The Rulers of the Lakes." Robert Lennox, Tayoga, +Willet, and all the other important characters of the earlier romances +reappear in the present book. + + + + +CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES + + +ROBERT LENNOX: A lad of unknown origin + +TAYOGA A young Onondaga warrior + +DAVID WILLET A hunter + +RAYMOND LOUIS DE ST. LUC A brilliant French officer + +AUGUSTE DE COURCELLES A French officer + +FRANÇOIS DE JUMONVILLE A French officer + +LOUIS DE GALISSONNIÈRE A young French officer + +JEAN DE MÉZY A corrupt Frenchman + +ARMAND GLANDELET A young Frenchman + +PIERRE BOUCHER A bully and bravo + +PHILIBERT DROUILLARD A French priest + +THE MARQUIS DUQUESNE Governor-General of Canada + +MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL Governor-General of Canada + +FRANÇOIS BIGOT Intendant of Canada + +MARQUIS DE MONTCALM French commander-in-chief + +DE LEVIS A French general + +BOURLAMAQUE A French general + +BOUGAINVILLE A French general + +ARMAND DUBOIS A follower of St. Luc + +M. DE CHATILLARD An old French Seigneur + +CHARLES LANGLADE A French partisan + +THE DOVE The Indian wife of Langlade + +TANDAKORA An Ojibway chief + +DAGONOWEDA A young Mohawk chief + +HENDRICK An old Mohawk chief + +BRADDOCK A British general + +ABERCROMBIE A British general + +WOLFE A British general + +COL. WILLIAM JOHNSON Anglo-American leader + +MOLLY BRANT Col. Wm. Johnson's Indian wife + +JOSEPH BRANT Young brother of Molly Brant, afterward + the great Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea + +ROBERT DINWIDDIE Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia + + + + +CHARACTERS + + +William Shirley Governor of Massachusetts + +Benjamin Franklin Famous American patriot + +James Colden A young Philadelphia captain + +William Wilton A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Hugh Carson A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Jacobus Huysman An Albany burgher + +Caterina Jacobus Huysman's cook + +Alexander McLean An Albany schoolmaster + +Benjamin Hardy A New York merchant + +Johnathan Pillsbury Clerk to Benjamin Hardy + +Adrian Van Zoon A New York merchant + +The Slaver A nameless rover + +Achille Garay A French spy + +Alfred Grosvenor A young English officer + +James Cabell A young Virginian + +Walter Stuart A young Virginian + +Black Rifle A famous "Indian fighter" + +Elihu Strong A Massachusetts colonel + +Alan Hervey A New York financier + +Stuart Whyte Captain of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +John Latham Lieutenant of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +Edward Charteris A young officer of the Royal Americans + +Zebedee Crane A young scout and forest runner + +Robert Rogers Famous Captain of American Rangers + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I. IN THE DEEP WOODS + +II. ON THE RIDGES + +III. THE BRAVE DEFENCE + +IV. THE GODS AT PLAY + +V. TAMING A SPY + +VI. PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +VII. THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +VIII. BEFORE MONTCALM + +IX. THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +X. THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +XI. THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +XII. THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +XIII. READING THE SIGNS + +XIV. ST. LUC'S REVENGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +IN THE DEEP WOODS + +A light wind sang through the foliage, turned to varying and vivid +hues now by the touch of autumn, and it had an edge of cold that made +Robert Lennox shiver a little, despite a hardy life in wilderness and +open. But it was only a passing feeling. A moment or two later he +forgot it, and, turning his eyes to the west, watched the vast +terraces of blazing color piled one above another by the sinking sun. + +Often as he had seen it the wonderful late glow over the mighty forest +never failed to stir him, and to make his pulse beat a little faster. +His sensitive mind, akin in quality to that of a poet, responded with +eagerness and joy to the beauty and majesty of nature. Forgetting +danger and the great task they had set for themselves, he watched the +banks of color, red and pink, salmon and blue, purple and yellow, +shift and change, while in the very heart of the vast panorama the +huge, red orb, too strong for human sight, glittered and flamed. + +The air, instinct with life, intoxicated him and he became rapt as in +a vision. People whom he had met in his few but eventful years passed +before him again in all the seeming of reality, and then his spirit +leaped into the future, dreaming of the great things he would see, and +in which perhaps he would have a share. + +Tayoga, the young Onondaga, looked at his comrade and he understood. +The same imaginative thread had been woven into the warp of which +he was made, and his nostrils and lips quivered as he drank in the +splendor of a world that appealed with such peculiar force to him, a +son of the woods. + +"The spirit of Areskoui (the Sun God) is upon Dagaeoga, and he has +left us to dwell for a little while upon the seas of color heaped +against the western horizon," he said. + +Willet, the hunter, smiled. The two lads were very dear to him. He +knew that they were uncommon types, raised by the gift of God far +above the normal. + +"Let him rest there, Tayoga," he said, "while those brilliant banks +last, which won't be long. All things change, and the glorious hues +will soon give way to the dark." + +"True, Great Bear, but if the night comes it, in turn, must yield to +the dawn. All things change, as you say, but nothing perishes. The sun +tomorrow will be the same sun that we see today. Black night will not +take a single ray from its glory." + +"It's so, Tayoga, but you talk like a book or a prophet. I'm wondering +if our lives are not like the going and coming of the sun. Maybe we +pass on from one to another, forever and forever, without ending." + +"Great Bear himself feels the spell of Areskoui also." + +"I do, but we'd better stop rhapsodizing and think about our needs. +Here, Robert, wake up and come back to earth! It's no time to sing a +song to the sun with the forest full of our red enemies and the white +too, perhaps." + +Robert awoke with a start. + +"You dragged me out of a beautiful world," he said. + +"A world in which you were the central star," rejoined the hunter. + +"So I was, but isn't that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man +creates? He's their sun or he wouldn't create 'em." + +"We're getting too deep into the unknown. Plant your feet on the solid +earth, Robert, and let's think about the problems a dark night is +going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. +Lawrence." + +Young Lennox shivered again. The terraces in the west suddenly began +to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge. + +"I know one thing," he said. "I know the night's going to be cold. It +always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I'd +like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could +warm our food." + +The hunter glanced at the Onondaga. + +"That tells the state of my mind, too," he said, "but I doubt whether +it would be safe. If we're to be good scouts, fit to discover the +plans of the French and Indians, we won't get ourselves cut off by +some rash act in the very beginning." + +"It may not be a great danger or any at all," said Tayoga. "There is +much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and +we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a +smothered fire." + +"You're a friend at the right time, Tayoga," said Robert. "I feel that +I must have warmth. Lead on and find the stony hollow for us." + +The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty +hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was +coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy. + +The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a +triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped. They had waited +to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but +there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one +another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the +season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts +and roving bands that never rested. But Robert, Willet and Tayoga +hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance +during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great +risks in the effort. + +They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and +passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze. The +wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder. The +glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as +yet without stars, spread over the earth. + +Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, +stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the +selection of a place where they could stay. The Onondaga, guided by +long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had +lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence. +His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they +desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many +hollows. + +The darkness increased, and the wind swept through the chasms with +alternate moan and whistle, but the red youth held on his course for +a full two miles, and his comrades followed without a word. When the +cliffs about them rose to a height of two or three hundred feet, he +stopped, and, pointing with a long forefinger, said he had found what +they wished. + +Robert at first could see nothing but a pit of blackness, but +gradually as he gazed the shadows passed away, and he traced a deep +recess in the stone of the cliff, not much of a shelter to those +unused to the woods, but sufficient for hardy forest runners. + +"I think we may build a little fire in there," said Tayoga, "and no +one can see it unless he is here in the ravine within ten feet of us." + +Willet nodded and Robert joyfully began to prepare for the blaze. The +night was turning even colder than he had expected, and the chill +was creeping into his frame. The fire would be most welcome for its +warmth, and also because of the good cheer it would bring. He swept +dry leaves into a heap within the recess, put upon them dead wood, +which was abundant everywhere, and then Tayoga with artful use of +flint and steel lighted the spark. + +"It is good," admitted the hunter as he sat Turkish fashion on the +leaves, and spread out his hands before the growing flames. "The +nights grow cold mighty soon here in the high hills of the north, and +the heat not only loosens up your muscles, but gives you new courage." + +"I intend to make myself as comfortable as possible," said Robert. +"You and Tayoga are always telling me to do so and I know the advice +is good." + +He gathered great quantities of the dry leaves, making of them what +was in reality a couch, upon which he could recline in halfway fashion +like a Roman at a feast, and warm at the fire before him the food he +carried in a deerskin knapsack. An appetizing odor soon arose, and, as +he ate, a pleasant warmth pervaded all his body, giving him a feeling +of great content. They had venison, the tender meat of the young bear +which, like the Indians, they loved, and they also allowed themselves +a slice apiece of precious bread. Water was never distant in the +northern wilderness, and Tayoga found a brook not a hundred yards +away, flowing down a ravine that cut across their own. They drank at +it in turn, and, then, the three lay down on the leaves in the recess, +grateful to the Supreme Power which provided so well for them, even in +the wild forest. + +They let the flames die, but a comfortable little bed of coals +remained, glowing within the shelter of the rocks. Young Lennox heaped +up the leaves until they formed a pillow under his head, and then +half dreaming, gazed into the heart of the fire, while his comrades +reclined near him, each silent but with his mind turned to that which +concerned him most. + +Robert's thoughts were of St. Luc, of the romantic figure he had +seen in the wilderness after the battle of Lake George, the knightly +chevalier, singing his gay little song of mingled sentiment and +defiance. An unconscious smile passed over his face. He and St. Luc +could never be enemies. In very truth, the French leader, though an +official enemy, had proved more than once the best of friends, ready +even to risk his life in the service of the American lad. What was +the reason? What could be the tie between them? There must be some +connection. What was the mystery of his origin? The events of the last +year indicated to him very clearly that there was such a mystery. +Adrian Van Zoon and Master Benjamin Hardy surely knew something about +it, and Willet too. Was it possible that a thread lay in the hand of +St. Luc also? + +He turned his eyes from the coals and gazed at the impassive face of +the hunter. Once the question trembled on his lips, but he was sure +the Great Bear would evade the answer, and the lad thought too much of +the man who had long stood to him in the place of father to cause him +annoyance. Beyond a doubt Willet had his interests at heart, and, when +the time came for him to speak, speak he would, but not before. + +His mind passed from the subject to dwell upon the task they had set +for themselves, a thought which did not exclude St. Luc, though the +chevalier now appeared in the guise of a bold and skillful foe, with +whom they must match their wisdom and courage. Doubtless he had formed +a new band, and, at the head of it, was already roaming the country +south of the St. Lawrence. Well, if that were the case perhaps they +would meet once more, and he would have given much to penetrate the +future. + +"Why don't you go to sleep, Robert?" asked the hunter. + +"For the best of reasons. Because I can't," replied the lad. + +"Perhaps it's well to stay awake," said the Onondaga gravely. + +"Why, Tayoga?" + +"Someone comes." + +"Here in the ravine?" + +"No, not in the ravine but on the cliff opposite us." + +Robert strained both eye and ear, but he could neither see nor hear +any human being. The wall on the far side of the ravine rose to a +considerable height, its edge making a black line against the sky, but +nothing there moved. + +"Your fancy is too much for you, Tayoga," he said. "Thinking that +someone might come, it creates a man out of air and mist." + +"No, Dagaeoga, my fancy sleeps. Instead, my ear, which speaks only the +truth, tells me a man is walking along the crest of the cliff, and +coming on a course parallel with our ravine. My eye does not yet see +him, but soon it will confirm what my ear has already told me. This +deep cleft acts as a trumpet and brings the sound to me." + +"How far away, then, would you say is this being, who, I fear, is +mythical?" + +"He is not mythical. He is reality. He is yet about three hundred +yards distant. I might not have heard him, even with the aid of the +cleft, but tonight Areskoui has given uncommon power to my ear, +perhaps to aid us, and I know he is walking among thick bushes. I can +hear the branches swish as they fly back into place, after his body +has passed. Ah, a small stick popped as it broke under his foot!" + +"I heard nothing." + +"That is not my fault, O Dagaeoga. It is a heavy man, because I now +hear his footsteps, even when they do not break anything. He walks +with some uncertainty. Perhaps he fears lest he should make a false +step, and tumble into the ravine." + +"Since you can tell so much through hearing, at such a great distance, +perhaps you know what kind of a man the stranger is. A warrior, I +suppose?" + +"No, he is not of our race. He would not walk so heavily. It is a +white man." + +"One of Rogers' rangers, then? Or maybe it is Rogers himself, or +perhaps Black Rifle." + +"It is none of those. They would advance with less noise. It is one +not so much used to the forest, but who knows the way, nevertheless, +and who doubtless has gone by this trail before." + +"Then it must be a Frenchman!" + +"I think so too." + +"It won't be St. Luc?" + +"No, Dagaeoga, though your tone showed that for a moment you hoped it +was. Sharp Sword is too skillful in the forest to walk with so heavy +a step. Nor can it be either of the leaders, De Courcelles or +Jumonville. They also are too much at home in the woods. The right +name of the man forms itself on my lips, but I will wait to be sure. +In another minute he will enter the bare space almost opposite us and +then we can see." + +The three waited in silence. Although Robert had expressed doubt he +felt none. He had a supreme belief in the Onondaga's uncanny powers, +and he was quite sure that a man was moving upon the bluff. A stranger +at such a time was to be watched, because white men came but little +into this dangerous wilderness. + +A dark figure appeared within the prescribed minute upon the crest and +stopped there, as if the man, whoever he might be, wished to rest and +draw fresh breath. The sky had lightened and he was outlined clearly +against it. Robert gazed intently and then he uttered a little cry. + +"I know him!" he said. "I can't be mistaken. It's Achille Garay, the +one whose name we found written on a fragment of a letter in Albany." + +"It's the man who tried to kill you, none other," said Tayoga gravely, +"and Areskoui whispered in my ear that it would be he." + +"What on earth can he be doing here in this lone wilderness at such a +time?" asked Robert. + +"Likely he's on his way to a French camp with information about our +forces," said Willet. "We frightened Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, when we +were in Albany, but I suppose that once a spy and traitor always a +spy and traitor. Since the immediate danger has moved from Albany, +Martinus and Garay may have begun work again." + +"Then we'd better stop him," said Robert. + +"No, let him go on," said Willet. "He can't carry any information +about us that the French leaders won't find out for themselves. +The fact that he's traveling in the night indicates a French camp +somewhere near. We'll put him to use. Suppose we follow him and +discover what we can about our enemies." + +Robert looked at the cheerful bed of coals and sighed. They were +seeking the French and Indians, and Garay was almost sure to lead +straight to them. It was their duty to stalk him. + +"I wish he had passed in the daytime," he said ruefully. + +Tayoga laughed softly. + +"You have lived long enough in the wilderness, O Dagaeoga," he said, +"to know that you cannot choose when and where you will do your work." + +"That's true, Tayoga, but while my feet are unwilling to go my will +moves me on. So I'm entitled to more credit than you who take an +actual physical de light in trailing anybody at any time." + +The Onondaga smiled, but did not reply. Then the three took up their +arms, returned their packs to their backs and without noise left the +alcove. Robert cast one more reluctant glance at the bed of coals, but +it was a farewell, not any weakening of the will to go. + +Garay, after his brief rest on the summit, had passed the open space +and was out of sight in the bushes, but Robert knew that both Tayoga +and Willet could easily pick up his trail, and now he was all +eagerness to pursue him and see what the chase might disclose. A +little farther down, the cliff sloped back to such an extent that they +could climb it without trouble, and, when they surmounted the crest, +they entered the bushes at the point where Garay had disappeared. + +"Can you hear him now, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"My ears are as good as they were when I was in the ravine," replied +the Onondaga, "but they do not catch any sounds from the Frenchman. +It is, as we wish, because we do not care to come so near him that he +will hear." + +"Give him a half mile start," said Willet. "The ground is soft here, +and it won't be any sort of work to follow him. See, here are the +traces of his footsteps now, and there is where he has pushed his way +among the little boughs. Notice the two broken twigs, Robert." + +They followed at ease, the trail being a clear one, and the light of +moon and stars now ample. Robert began to feel the ardor of the chase. +He did not see Garay, but he believed that Tayoga at times heard him +with those wonderful ears of his. He rejoiced too that chance had +caused them to find the French spy in the wilderness. He remembered +that foul attempt upon his life in Albany, and, burning with +resentment, he was eager to thwart Garay in whatever he was now +attempting to do. Tayoga saw his face and said softly: + +"You hate this man Garay?" + +"I don't like him." + +"Do you wish me to go forward and kill him?" + +"No! No, Tayoga! Why do you ask me such a cold-blooded question?" + +The Onondaga laughed gently. + +"I was merely testing you, Dagaeoga," he said. "We of the Hodenosaunee +perhaps do not regard the taking of life as you do, but I would not +shoot Garay from ambush, although I might slay him in open battle. Ah, +there he is again on the crest of the ridge ahead!" + +Robert once more saw the thick, strong figure of the spy outlined +against the sky which was now luminous with a brilliant moon and +countless clear stars, and the feeling of resentment was very powerful +within him. Garay, without provocation, had attempted his life, and +he could not forget it, and, for a moment or two, he felt that if +the necessity should come in battle he was willing for a bullet from +Tayoga to settle him. Then he rebuked himself for harboring rancor. + +Garay paused, as if he needed another rest, and looked back, though it +was only a casual glance, perhaps to measure the distance he had come, +and the three, standing among the dense bushes, had no fear that he +saw them or even suspected that anyone was on his traces. After a +delay of a minute or so he passed over the crest and Robert, Willet +and Tayoga moved on in pursuit. The Frenchman evidently knew his path, +as the chase led for a long time over hills, down valleys and across +small streams. Toward morning he put his fingers to his lips and blew +a shrill whistle between them. Then the three drew swiftly near +until they could see him, standing under the boughs of a great oak, +obviously in an attitude of waiting. + +"It is a signal to someone," said Robert. + +"So it is," said Willet, "and it means that he and we have come to +the end of our journey. I take it that we have arrived almost at the +French and Indian camp, and that he whistles because he fears lest he +should be shot by a sentinel through mistake. The reply should come +soon." + +As the hunter spoke they heard a whistle, a faint, clear note far +ahead, and then Garay without hesitation resumed his journey. The +three followed, but when they reached the crest of the next ridge they +saw a light shining through the forest, a light that grew and finally +divided into many lights, disclosing to them with certainty the +presence of a camp. The figure of Garay appeared for a little while +outlined against a fire, another figure came forward to meet him, and +the two disappeared together. + +From the direction of the fires came sounds subdued by the distance, +and the aroma of food. + +"It is a large camp," said Tayoga. "I have counted twelve fires which +proves it, and the white men and the red men in it do not go hungry. +They have deer, bear, fish and birds also. The pleasant odors of them +all come to my nostrils, and make me hungry." + +"That's too much for me," said Robert. "I can detect the blended +savor, but I know not of what it consists. Now we go on, I suppose, +and find out what this camp holds." + +"We wouldn't dream of turning back," said the hunter. "Did you notice +anything familiar, Robert, about the figure that came forward to meet +Garay?" + +"Now that you speak of it, I did, but I can't recall the identity of +the man." + +"Think again!" + +"Ah, now I have him! It was the French officer, Colonel Auguste de +Courcelles, who gave us so much trouble in Canada and elsewhere." + +"That's the man," said Willet. "I knew him at once. Now, wherever De +Courcelles is mischief is likely to be afoot, but he's not the only +Frenchman here. We'll spy out this camp to the full. There's time yet +before the sunrise comes." + +Now the three used all the skill in stalking with which they were +endowed so plentifully, creeping forward without noise through the +bushes, making so little stir among them that if a wary warrior had +been looking he would have taken the slight movement of twig or leaf +for the influence of a wandering breeze. Gradually the whole camp came +into view, and Tayoga's prediction that it would be a large one proved +true. + +Robert lay on a little knoll among small bushes growing thick, where +the keenest eye could not see him, but where his own vision swept +the whole wide shallow dip, in which the French and Indian force was +encamped. Twelve fires, all good and large, burned gayly, throwing out +ruddy flames from great beds of glowing coals, while the aroma of food +was now much stronger and very appetizing. + +The force numbered at least three hundred men, of whom about one third +were Frenchmen or Canadians, all in uniform. Robert recognized De +Courcelles and near him Jumonville, his invariable comrade, and a +little farther on a handsome and gallant young face. + +"It's De Galissonnière of the Battalion Languedoc, whom we met in +Québec," he whispered to Tayoga. "Now I wonder what he's doing here." + +"He's come with the others on a projected foray," Tayoga whispered +back. "But look beyond him, Dagaeoga, and you will see one more to be +dreaded than De Courcelles or Jumonville." + +Robert's gaze followed that of the young Onondaga and was intercepted +by the huge figure of Tandakora, the Ojibway, who stood erect by one +of the fires, bare save for a breech cloth and moccasins, his body +painted in the most hideous designs, of which war paint was possible, +his brow lowering. + +"Tandakora is not happy," said Tayoga. + +"No," said Robert. "He is thinking of the battle at Lake George that +he did not win, and of all the scalps he did not take. He is thinking +of his lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French." + +"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the spy, +Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh +and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their +victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big +campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to +breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles +consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, +Garay. But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!" + +Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant +figure of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall +man, young, lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner +at once graceful and proud, a man to whom the others turned with +deference, and perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville +with a little fear. He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and +a small gold hilted sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, +dress impresses, and Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his +finest attire, not from vanity, but because he wished to create an +effect. It would be like him, when his fortunes were lowest, to assume +his highest manner before both friend and foe. + +"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of +victories and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is +the finest spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader +and soldier, too. Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop +asking questions of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself +bows low before him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora +stand aside. I wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn +something worth all our risk in coming here." + +But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three, +eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes +and watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and +Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast +for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. +St. Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French +officers and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he +leaned against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, +powerfully built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he +ate mechanically. + +The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The +three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time +for them to be going. + +"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the +daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, +will wander about the camp." + +"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too +great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good +food will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote." + +They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense breath +of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look upon +the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the reach +of those who made it. + +"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my bones +are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my hunger has +grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to speak, +with red hot pincers." + +"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical +tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the +pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance +to show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such +little things as food and drink." + +"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted +young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if +I could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison." + +"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm +beginning to feel as you do, Robert." + +Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they pursued +a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt. Even then +they hunted about among the rocks until they found a secluded place, +no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to grumble, +although he did not mean it. + +"We were better off last night when we had our little fire in the +hollow," he said. + +"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, +"but we didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least +increased our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have +been awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has +passed, ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should +practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is +pretty well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on +the leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the +bare ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done +so already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. +Whoever does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to +decide." + +But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so +nearly at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He +noticed with pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to +himself, as he had said so often before, that they were two good and +brave lads. + +Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon, +and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees. + +His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had +acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult +physical art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So +thorough was his mastery over himself that the small wild game began +to believe by and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his +head and the hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw +everything and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the +more acuteness. + +The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding +the world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to +Willet, whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and +aspects. They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew +that the hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must +have much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods, +seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them. + +The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did +not sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed +thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins. +Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more +intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come +to him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it +was the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired +in battle. The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had +started up a deer or a bear. + +But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to +the proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart +to miss a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that +they should be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have +rejoiced if there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert +and Tayoga whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And +how he would have spread his nets to catch such precious game! + +He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the +hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was +turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were +obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game +of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer +and bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of +their guns. + +But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and +his lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general +expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no +anxiety marred his sense of the humorous. + +Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded +bear and still he was motionless. + +Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They +believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks and +ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in safe +hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure one +day would be sufficient for the task. That portion of the wilderness +was full of game, and, since the coming of the war, deer and bear were +increasing rapidly. Willet often noted how quickly game returned to +regions abandoned by man, as if the wild animals promptly told one +another the danger had passed. + +Joyous shouts came now and then and he knew that they marked the +taking of game, but about the middle of the afternoon the hunt drifted +entirely away. A little later Tayoga awoke and sat up. Then Willet +moved slightly and spoke. + +"Tandakora's hunters have been all about us while you slept," he said, +"but I knew they wouldn't find us." + +"Dagaeoga and I were safe in the care of the Great Bear," said the +Onondaga confidently. "Tandakora will rage if we tell him some day +that we were here, to be taken if he had only seen us. Now Lennox +awakes also! O Dagaeoga, you have slept and missed all the great +jest." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga?" + +"Tandakora built his fire just beyond the big bush that grows ten feet +away, and sat there two hours without suspecting our presence here." + +"Now I know you are romancing, Tayoga, because I can see the twinkle +in your eyes. But I suspect that what you say bears some remote +relation to the truth." + +"The hostile hunters passed while you slept, and while I slept also, +but the Great Bear was all eyes and ears and he did not think it +needful to awaken us." + +"What are we going to do now, Dave?" + +"Eat more venison. We must never fail to keep the body strong." + +"And then?" + +"I'm not sure. I thought once that we'd better go south to our army at +Lake George with news of this big band, but it's a long distance down +there, and it may be wiser to stay here and watch St. Luc. What do you +say, Robert?" + +"Stay here." + +"And you, Tayoga?" + +"Watch St. Luc." + +"I was inclining to that view myself, and it's settled now. But we +mustn't move from this place until dark; it would be too dangerous in +the day." + +The lads nodded and the three settled into another long period of +waiting. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +ON THE RIDGES + +Late in the afternoon Willet went to sleep and Robert and Tayoga +watched, although, as the hunter had done, they depended more upon +ear than eye. They too heard now and then the faint report of distant +shots from the hunt, and Robert's heart beat very fast, but, if the +young Onondaga felt emotion, he did not show it. At twilight, they +ate a frugal supper, and when the night had fully come they rose and +walked about a little to make their stiffened muscles elastic again. + +"The hunters have all gone back to the camp now," said Tayoga, "since +it is not easy to pursue the game by dusk, and we need not keep so +close, like a bear in its den." + +"And the danger of our being seen is reduced to almost nothing," said +Robert. + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but we will have another fight to make. We must +strive to keep ourselves from freezing. It turns very cold on the +mountains! The wind is now blowing from the north, and do you not feel +a keener edge to it?" + +"I do," replied Robert, sensitive of body as well as mind, and he +shivered as he spoke. "It's a most unfortunate change for us. But now +that I think of it we've got to expect it up among the high mountains +toward Canada. Shall we light another fire?" + +"We'll talk of that later with the Great Bear when he comes out of his +sleep. But it fast grows colder and colder, Dagaeoga!" + +Weather was an enormous factor in the lives of the borderers. +Wilderness storms and bitter cold often defeated their best plans, and +shelterless men, they were in a continual struggle against them. And +here in the far north, among the high peaks and ridges, there was much +to be feared, even with official winter yet several weeks away. + +Robert began to rub his cold hands, and, unfolding his blanket, he +wrapped it about his body, drawing it well up over his neck and ears. +Tayoga imitated him and Willet, who was soon awakened by the cold +blast, protected himself in a similar manner. + +"What does the Great Bear think?" asked the Onondaga. + +The hunter, with his face to the wind, meditated a few moments before +replying. + +"I was testing that current of air on my face and eyes," he said, +"and, speaking the truth, Tayoga, I don't like it. The wind seemed to +grow colder as I waited to answer you. Listen to the leaves falling +before it! Their rustle tells of a bitter night." + +"And while we freeze in it," said Robert, whose imagination was +already in full play, "the French and Indians build as many and big +fires as they please, and cook before them the juicy game they killed +today." + +The hunter was again very thoughtful. + +"It looks as if we would have to kindle a fire," he said, "and +tomorrow we shall have to hunt bear or deer for ourselves, because we +have food enough left for only one more meal." + +"The face of Areskoui is turned from us," said Tayoga. "We have done +something to anger him, or we have failed to do what he wished, and +now he sends upon us a hard trial to test us and purify us! A great +storm with fierce cold comes!" + +The wind rose suddenly, and it began to make a sinister hissing among +all the passes and gorges. Robert felt something damp upon his face, +and he brushed away a melting flake of snow. But another and another +took its place and the air was soon filled with white. And the flakes +were most aggressive. Driven by the storm they whipped the cheeks +and eyes of the three, and sought to insert themselves, often with +success, under their collars, even under the edges of the protecting +blankets, and down their backs. Robert, despite himself, shivered +violently and even the hunter was forced to walk vigorously back and +forth in the effort to keep warm. It was evident that the Onondaga had +told the truth, and that the face of Areskoui was in very fact turned +from them. + +Robert awaited the word, looking now and then at Willet, but the +hunter hung on for a long time. The leaves fell in showers before the +storm, making a faint rustling like the last sigh of the departing, +and the snow, driven with so much force, stung his face like hail when +it struck. He was anxious for a fire, and its vital heat, but he was +too proud to speak. He would endure without complaint as much as his +comrades, and he knew that Tayoga, like himself, would wait for the +older man to speak. + +But he could not keep, meanwhile, from thinking of the French and +Indians beside their vast heaps of glowing coals, fed and warmed to +their hearts' content, while the three lay in the dark and bitter cold +of the wilderness. An hour dragged by, then two, then three, but the +storm showed no sign of abating. The sinister screaming of the wind +did not cease and the snow accumulated upon their bodies. At last +Willet said: + +"We must do it." + +"We have no other choice," said Tayoga. "We have waited as long as we +could to see if Areskoui would turn a favoring face upon us, but his +anger holds. It will not avail, if in our endeavor to escape the +tomahawk of Tandakora, we freeze to death." + +The fire decided upon, they took all risks and went about the task +with eagerness. Ordinary men could not have lighted it under such +circumstances, but the three had uncommon skill upon which to draw. +They took the bark from dead wood, and shaved off many splinters, +building up a little heap in the lee of a cliff, which they sheltered +on the windward side with their bodies. Then Willet, working a long +time with his flint and steel, set to it the sparks that grew into a +blaze. + +Robert did not stop with the fire. Noticing the vast amount of dead +wood lying about, as was often the case in the wilderness, he dragged +up many boughs and began to build a wall on the exposed side of the +flames. Willet and Tayoga approving of the idea soon helped him, and +three pairs of willing hands quickly raised the barrier of trunks and +brush to a height of at least a yard. + +"A happy idea of yours, Robert," said the hunter. "Now we achieve two +ends at once. Our wall hides the glow of the fire and at the same time +protects us in large measure from the snow and wind." + +"I have bright thoughts now and then," said Robert, whose spirits had +returned in full tide. "You needn't believe you and Tayoga have all +of 'em. I don't believe either of you would have ever thought of this +fine wooden wall. In truth, Dave, I don't know what would become of +you and Tayoga if you didn't have me along with you most all the +time! How good the fire feels! The warmth touches my fingers and goes +stealing up my arms and into my body! It reaches my face too and +goes stealing down to meet the fine heat that makes a channel of my +fingers! A glorious fire, Tayoga! I tell you, a glorious fire, Dave! +The finest fire that's burning anywhere in the world!" + +"The quality of a fire depends on the service it gives," said the +hunter. + +"Dagaeoga has many words when he is happy," said the Onondaga. "His +tongue runs on like the pleasant murmur of a brook, but he does it +because Manitou made him that way. The world must have talkers as +well as doers, and it can be said for Lennox that he acts as well as +talks." + +"Thanks, I'm glad you put in the saving clause," laughed Robert. "But +it's a mighty good thing we built our wooden wall. That wind would cut +to the bone if it could get at you." + +"The wind at least will keep the warriors away," said Tayoga. "They +will all stay close in the camp on such a night." + +"And no blame to them," murmured the hunter. "If we weren't in the +Indian country I'd build our own fire five times as big. Now, Robert, +suppose you go to sleep." + +"I can't, Dave. You know I slept all the morning, but I'm not +suffering from dullness. I'm imagining things. I'm imagining how much +worse off we'd be if we didn't have flint and steel. I can always find +pleasure in making such contrasts." + +But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer +and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a +glowing mass of coals. He was wondering what they would do on the +morrow, when their food was exhausted. They had not only the storm to +fight, but possible starvation in the days to come. He foresaw that +instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a +struggle merely to live. + +"Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga," he said. "Who would have +predicted such a storm so early in the season?" + +"We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and +that will account for the violent change. I think the wind and snow +will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow." + +"Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall +higher and save ample fuel for the fire." + +The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon +it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of +brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood +began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, +as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped +his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the +farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber. + +One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as +he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a +rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and +spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the +pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the +darkness, and he retreated two or three steps. + +It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason +told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through +the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on +his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was +so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger +but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear +had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some +warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature +the stranger and intruder might be. + +Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to +him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would +furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large +blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for +a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of +danger or attack on the part of either. + +"If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad. + +The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl. + +"I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear." + +Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature. + +"Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen +sapling." + +A third growl, now ingratiating. + +"It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and +I wouldn't think of fighting." + +A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and +understanding. + +"We're in agreement, I see. Good night, I wish you well." + +A fifth growl, which had the tone of benevolent farewell, and the +bear, dropping on all fours, disappeared in the brush. Robert, whose +fancy had been alive and leaping, returned to the camp rather pleased +with himself, despite the fact that about three hundred pounds of +excellent food had walked away undisturbed. + +"I ran upon a big bear," he said to the hunter and the Onondaga. + +"I heard no shot," said Willet. + +"No, I didn't fire. Neither my impulse nor my will told me to do so. +The bear looked at me in such brotherly fashion that I could never +have sent a bullet into him. I'd rather go hungry." + +Neither Willet nor Tayoga had any rebuke for him. + +"Doubtless the soul of a good warrior had gone into the bear and +looked out at you," said the Onondaga with perfect sincerity. "It is +sometimes so. It is well that you did not fire upon him or the face of +Areskoui would have remained turned from us too long." + +"That's just the way I felt about it," said Robert, who had great +tolerance for Iroquois beliefs. "His eyes seemed fully human to me, +and, although I had my pistol in my belt and my hand when I first saw +him flew to its butt, I made no attempt to draw it. I have no regrets +because I let him go." + +"Nor have we," said Willet. "Now I think we can afford to rest again. +We can build our wall six feet high if we want to and have wood enough +left over to feed a fire for several days." + +The two lads, the white and the red, crouched once more in the lee of +the cliff, while the hunter put two fresh sticks on the coals. But +little of the snow reached them where they lay, wrapped well in their +blankets, and all care disappeared from Robert's mind. Inured to the +wilderness he ignored what would have been discomfort to others. The +trails they had left in the snow when they hunted wood would soon be +covered up by the continued fall, and for the night, at least, there +would be no danger from the warriors. He felt an immense comfort and +security, and by-and-by fell asleep again. Tayoga soon followed him to +slumberland, and Willet once more watched alone. + +Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did +not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he +would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there +would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel. + +The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and +then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow +had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and +all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point +where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them +the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen +appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to +descend into the lower country and hunt game. + +"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said +Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that +the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians +also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be +delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back." + +"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in +his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only +on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and +perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets." + +"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert. + +"We must send out a scout first," said Willet. + +It was agreed that Tayoga should go, and in about two hours he +returned with grave news. The warriors were out again, hunting in the +snow, and although unconscious of it themselves they formed an almost +complete ring about the three, a ring which they must undertake to +break through now in full daylight, and with the snow ready to leave a +broad trail of all who passed. + +"They would be sure to see our path," said Tayoga. "Even the short +trail I made when I went forth exposes us to danger, and we must trust +to luck that they will not see it. There is nothing for us to do, but +to remain hidden here, until the next night comes. It is quite certain +that the face of Areskoui is still turned from us. What have we done +that is displeasing to the Sun God?" + +"I can't recall anything," said Robert. + +"Perhaps it is not what we have done but what we have failed to do, +though whatever it is Areskoui has willed that we lie close another +day." + +"And starve," said Robert ruefully. + +"And starve," repeated the Onondaga. + +The three crouched once more under the lee of the cliff, but toward +noon they built their wooden wall another foot higher, driven to the +work by the threatening aspect of the sky, which turned to a somber +brown. The wind sprang up again, and it had an edge of damp. + +"Soon it will rain," said Tayoga, "and it will be a bitter cold rain. +Much of the snow will melt and then freeze again, coating the earth +with ice. It will make it more difficult for us to travel and the +hunting that we need so much must be delayed. Then we'll grow hungrier +and hungrier." + +"Stop it, Tayoga," exclaimed Robert. "I believe you're torturing me on +purpose. I'm hungry now." + +"But that is nothing to what Dagaeoga will be tonight, after he has +gone many hours without food. Then he will think of the juicy venison, +and of the tender steak of the young bear, and of the fine fish from +the mountain streams, and he will remember how he has enjoyed them in +the past, but it will be only a memory. The fish that he craves will +be swimming in the clear waters, and the deer and the bear will be far +away, safe from his bullet." + +"I didn't know you had so much malice in your composition, Tayoga, but +there's one consolation; if I suffer you suffer also." + +The Onondaga laughed. + +"It will give Dagaeoga a chance to test himself," he said. "We know +already that he is brave in battle and skillful on the trail, and now +we will see how he can sit for days and nights without anything to +eat, and not complain. He will be a hero, he will draw in his belt +notch by notch, and never say a word." + +"That will do, Tayoga," interrupted the hunter. "While you play upon +Robert's nerves you play upon mine also, and they tell me you've said +enough. Actually I'm beginning to feel famished." + +Tayoga laughed once more. + +"While I jest with you I jest also with myself," he said. "Now we'll +sleep, since there is nothing else to do." + +He drew his blanket up to his eyes, leaned against the stony wall and +slept. Robert could not imitate him. As the long afternoon, one of the +longest he had ever known, trailed its slow length away, he studied +the forest in front of them, where the cold and mournful rain was +still falling, a rain that had at least one advantage, as it had long +since obliterated all traces of a trail left by Tayoga on his scouting +expedition, although search as he would he could find no other profit +in it. + +Night came, the rain ceased, and, as Tayoga had predicted, the intense +cold that arrived with the dark, froze it quickly, covering the earth +with a hard and polished glaze, smoother and more treacherous than +glass. It was impossible for the present to undertake flight over +such a surface, with a foe naturally vigilant at hand, and they made +themselves as comfortable as they could, while they awaited another +day. Now Robert began to draw in his belt, while a hunger that was +almost too fierce to be endured assailed him. His was a strong body, +demanding much nourishment, and it cried out to him for relief. He +tried to forget in sleep that he was famished, but he only dozed a +while to awaken to a hunger more poignant than ever. + +Yet he said never a word, but, as the night with its illimitable hours +passed, he grew defiant of difficulties and dangers, all of which +became but little things in presence of his hunger. It was his impulse +to storm the Indian camp itself and seize what he wanted of the +supplies there, but his reason told him the thought was folly. Then he +tried to forget about the steaks of bear and deer, and the delicate +little fish from the mountain stream that Tayoga had mentioned, but +they would return before his eyes with so much vividness that he +almost believed he saw them in reality. + +Dawn came again, and they had now been twenty-four hours without food. +The pangs of hunger were assailing all three fiercely, but they did +not yet dare go forth, as the morning was dark and gloomy, with a +resumption of the fierce, driving rain, mingled with hail, which +rattled now and then like bullets on their wooden wall. + +Robert shivered in his blanket, not so much from actual cold as from +the sinister aspect of the world, and his sensitive imagination, +which always pictured both good and bad in vivid colors, foresaw the +enormous difficulties that would confront them. Hunger tore at him, +as with the talons of a dragon, and he felt himself growing weak, +although his constitution was so strong that the time for a decline in +vitality had not yet really come. He was all for going forth in the +storm and seeking game in the slush and cold, ignoring the French and +Indian danger. But he knew the hunter and the Onondaga would not hear +to it, and so he waited in silence, hot anger swelling in his heart +against the foes who kept him there. Unable to do anything else, he +finally closed his eyes that he might shut from his view the gray and +chilly world that was so hostile. + +"Is Areskoui turning his face toward us, Tayoga?" he asked after a +long wait. + +"No, Dagaeoga. Our unknown sin is not yet expiated. The day grows +blacker, colder and wetter." + +"And I grow hungrier and hungrier. If we kill deer or bear we must +kill three of each at the same time, because I intend to eat one all +by myself, and I demand that he be large and fat, too. I suppose we'll +go out of this place some time or other." + +"Yes, Dagaeoga." + +"Then we'd better make up our minds to do it before it's too late. I +feel my nerves and tissues decaying already." + +"It's only your fancy, Dagaeoga. You can exist a week without food." + +"A week, Tayoga! I don't want to exist a week without food! I +absolutely refuse to do so!" + +"The choice is not yours, now, O Dagaeoga. The greatest gift you can +have is patience. The warrior, Daatgadose, of the clan of the Bear, of +the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, even +as I am, hemmed in by enemies in the forest, and with his powder and +bullets gone, lay in hiding ten days without food once passing his +lips, and took no lasting hurt from it. You, O Dagaeoga, will +surely do as well, and I can give you many other examples for your +emulation." + +"Stop, Tayoga. Sometimes I'm sorry you speak such precise English. If +you didn't you couldn't have so much sport with a bad situation." + +The Onondaga laughed deeply and with unction. He knew that Robert was +not complaining, that he merely talked to fill in the time, and he +went on with stories of illustrious warriors and chiefs among his +people who had literally defied hunger and thirst and who had lived +incredible periods without either food or water. Willet listened in +silence, but with approval. He knew that any kind of talk would cheer +them and strengthen them for the coming test which was bound to be +severe. + +Feeling that no warriors would be within sight at such a time they +built their fire anew and hovered over the flame and the coals, +drawing a sort of sustenance from the warmth. But when the day was +nearly gone and there was no change in the sodden skies Robert +detected in himself signs of weakness that he knew were not the +product of fancy. Every inch of his healthy young body cried out for +food, and, not receiving it, began to rebel and lose vigor. + +Again he was all for going forth and risking everything, and he +noticed with pleasure that the hunter began to shift about and to peer +into the forest as if some plan for action was turning in his mind. +But he said nothing, resolved to leave it all to Tayoga and Willet, +and by-and-by, in the dark, to which his eyes had grown accustomed, he +saw the two exchanging glances. He was able to read these looks. +The hunter said: "We must try it. The time has come." The Onondaga +replied: "Yes, it is not wise to wait longer, lest we grow too feeble +for a great effort." The hunter rejoined: "Then it is agreed," and the +Onondaga said: "If our comrade thinks so too." Both turned their eyes +to young Lennox who said aloud: "It's what I've been waiting for a +long time. The sooner we leave the better pleased I'll be." + +"Then," said Willet, "in an hour we'll start south, going down the +trail between the high cliffs, and we'll trust that either we've +expiated our sin, whatever it was, or that Areskoui has forgiven us. +It will be terrible traveling, but we can't wait any longer." + +They wrapped their blankets about their bodies as additional covering, +and, at the time appointed, left their rude shelter. Yet when they +were away from its protection it did not seem so rude. When their +moccasins sank in the slush and the snow and rain beat upon their +faces, it was remembered as the finest little shelter in the world. +The bodies of all three regretted it, but their wills and dire +necessity sent them on. + +The hunter led, young Lennox followed and Tayoga came last, their feet +making a slight sighing sound as they sank in the half-melted snow and +ice now several inches deep. Robert wore fine high moccasins of tanned +mooseskin, much stronger and better than ordinary deerskin, but before +long he felt the water entering them and chilling him to the bone. +Nevertheless, keeping his resolution in mind, and, knowing that the +others were in the same plight, he made no complaint but trudged +steadily on, three or four feet behind Willet, who chose the way that +now led sharply downward. Once more he realized what an enormous +factor changes in temperature were in the lives of borderers and how +they could defeat supreme forethought and the greatest skill. Winter +with its snow and sleet was now the silent but none the less potent +ally of the French and Indians in preventing their escape. + +They toiled on two or three miles, not one of the three speaking. The +sleet and hail thickened. In spite of the blanket and the deerskin +tunic it made its way along his neck and then down his shoulders and +chest, the chill that went downward meeting the chill that came upward +from his feet, now almost frozen. He could not recall ever before +having been so miserable of both mind and body. He did not know it +just then, but the lack of nourishment made him peculiarly susceptible +to mental and physical depression. The fires of youth were not burning +in his veins, and his vitality had been reduced at least one half. + +Now, that terrible hunger, although he had striven to fight it, +assailed him once more, and his will weakened slowly. What were those +tales Tayoga had been telling about men going a week or ten days +without food? They were clearly incredible. He had been less than two +days without it, and his tortures were those of a man at the stake. + +Willet's eyes, from natural keenness and long training, were able to +pierce the dusk and he showed the way, steep and slippery though it +was, with infallible certainty. They were on a lower slope, where by +some freak of the weather there was snow instead of slush, when he +bent down and examined the path with critical and anxious eyes. Robert +and Tayoga waited in silence, until the hunter straightened up again. +Then he said: + +"A war party has gone down the pass ahead of us. There were about +twenty men in it, and it's not more than two hours beyond us. Whether +it's there to cut us off, or has moved by mere chance, I don't know, +but the effect is just the same. If we keep on we'll run into it." + +"Suppose we try the ascent and get out over the ridges," said Robert. + +Willet looked up at the steep and lofty slopes on either side. + +"It's tremendously bad footing," he replied, "and will take heavy toll +of our strength, but I see no other way. It would be foolish for us to +go on and walk straight into the hands of our enemies. What say you, +Tayoga?" + +"There is but a single choice and that a desperate one. We must try +the summits." + +They delayed no longer, and, Willet still leading, began the frightful +climb, choosing the westward cliff which towered above them a +full four hundred feet, and, like the one that faced it, almost +precipitous. Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using +them as supports they toiled slowly upward. Now and then, in spite of +every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it +fell into the pass. Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell +Robert shivered. His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the +pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, +outlined against the slope. + +"Can't you go a little faster?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead. + +"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter. "We mustn't risk a fall. +But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert. It's the fear of being +shot in the back as you climb. I feel it too, but it's only fancy with +both of us." + +Robert said no more, but, calling upon his will, bent his mind to +their task. Above him was the dusky sky and the summit seemed to tower +a mile away, but he knew that it was only sixty or seventy yards now, +and he took his luxurious imagination severely in hand. At such a time +he must deal only in realities and he subjected all that he saw to +mathematical calculation. Sixty or seventy yards must be sixty or +seventy yards only and not a mile. + +After a time that seemed interminable Willet's figure disappeared over +the cliff, and, with a gasp, Robert followed, Tayoga coming swiftly +after. The three were so tired, their vitality was so reduced that +they lay down in the snow, and drew long, painful breaths. When some +measure of strength was restored they stood up and surveyed the place +where they stood, a bleak summit over which the wind blew sharply. +Nothing grew there but low bushes, and they felt that, while they may +have escaped the war band, their own physical case was worse instead +of better. Both cold and wind were more severe and a bitter hail beat +upon them. It was obvious that Areskoui did not yet forgive, although +it must surely be a sin of ignorance, of omission and not of +commission, with the equal certainty that a sin of such type could not +be unforgivable for all time. + +"We seem to be on a ridge that runs for a great distance," said +Tayoga. "Suppose we continue along the comb of it. At least we cannot +make ourselves any worse off than we are now." + +They toiled on, now and then falling on the slippery trail, their +vitality sinking lower and lower. Occasionally they had glimpses of a +vast desolate region under a somber sky, peaks and ridges and slopes +over which clouds hovered, the whole seeming to resent the entry of +man and to offer to him every kind of resistance. + +Robert was now wet through and through. No part of his body had +escaped and he knew that his vitality was at such a low ebb that at +least seventy-five per cent, of it was gone. He wanted to stop, his +cold and aching limbs cried out for rest, and he craved heat at the +cost of every risk, but his will was still firm, and he would not be +the first to speak. It was Willet who suggested when they came to a +slight dip that they make an effort to build a fire. + +"The human body, no matter how strong it may be naturally, and how +much it may be toughened by experience, will stand only so much," he +said. + +They were constantly building fires in the wilderness, but the fire +they built that morning was the hardest of them all to start. They +selected, as usual, the lee of a rocky uplift, and, then by the +patient use of flint and steel, and, after many failures, they +kindled a blaze that would last. But in their reduced state the labor +exhausted them, and it was some time before they drew any life from +the warmth. When the circulation had been restored somewhat they piled +on more wood, taking the chance of being seen. They even went so far +as to build a second fire, that they might sit between the two and dry +themselves more rapidly. Then they waited in silence the coming of the +dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +THE BRAVE DEFENSE + +Robert hoped for a fair morning. Surely Areskoui would relent now! But +the sun that crept languidly up the horizon was invisible to them, +hidden by a dark curtain of clouds that might shed, at any moment, +torrents of rain or hail or snow. The whole earth swam in chilly +damp. Banks of cold fog filled the valleys and gorges, and shreds and +patches of it floated along the peaks and ridges. The double fires had +dried his clothing and had sent warmth into his veins, increasing his +vitality somewhat, but it was far below normal nevertheless. He had an +immense aversion to further movement. He wanted to stay there between +the coals, awaiting passively whatever fate might have for him. +Somehow, his will to make an effort and live seemed to have gone. + +While weakness grew upon him and he drooped by the fire, he did not +feel hunger, but it was only a passing phase. Presently the desire for +food that had gnawed at him with sharp teeth came back, and with it +his wish to do, like one stirred into action by pain. Hunger itself +was a stimulus and his sinking vitality was arrested in its decline. +He looked around eagerly at the sodden scene, but it certainly held +out little promise of game. Deer and bear would avoid those steeps, +and range in the valleys. But the will to action, stimulated back to +life, remained. However comfortable it was between the fires they must +not stay there to perish. + +"Why don't we go on?" he said to Willet. + +"I'm glad to hear you ask that question," replied the hunter. + +"Why, Dave?" + +"Because it shows that you haven't given up. If you've got the courage +to leave such a warm and dry place you've got the courage also to make +another fight for life. And you were the first to speak, too, Robert." + +"We must go on," said Tayoga. "But it is best to throw slush over the +fire and hide our traces." + +The task finished they took up their vague journey, going they knew +not where, but knowing that they must go somewhere, their uncertain +way still leading along the crests of narrow ridges, across shallow +dips and through drooping forests, where the wind moaned miserably. At +intervals, it rained or snowed or hailed and once more they were wet +through and through. The recrudescence of Robert's strength was a mere +flare-up. His vitality ebbed again, and not even the fierce gnawing +hunger that refused to depart could stimulate it. By-and-by he began +to stumble, but Tayoga and Willet, who noticed it, said nothing--they +staggered at times themselves. They toiled on for hours in silence, +but, late in the afternoon, Robert turned suddenly to the Onondaga. + +"Do you remember, Tayoga," he said, "something you said to me a couple +of days since, or was it a week, or maybe a month ago? I seem to +remember time very uncertainly, but you were talking about repasts, +banquets, Lucullan banquets, more gorgeous banquets than old Nero had, +and they say he was king of epicures. I think you spoke of tender +venison, and juicy bear steaks, and perhaps of a delicate broiled +trout from one of these clear mountain streams. Am I not right, +Tayoga? Didn't you mention viands? And perhaps you may still be +thinking of them?" + +"I _am_, Dagaeoga. I am thinking of them all the time. I confess to +you that I am so hungry I could gnaw the inside of the fresh bark upon +a tree, and if I were turned loose upon a deer, slain and cooked, I +could eat him all from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail." + +"Stop, you boys," said Willet sternly. "You only aggravate your +sufferings. Isn't that a valley to the right, Tayoga, and don't you +catch the gleam of a little lake among its trees?" + +"It is a valley, Great Bear, and there _is_ a small lake in the +center. We will go there. Perhaps we can catch fish." + +Hope sprang up in Robert's heart. Fish? Why, of course there were fish +in all the mountain lakes! and they never failed to carry hooks and +lines in their packs. Bait could be found easily under the rocks. +He did not conceal his eagerness to descend into the valley and the +others were not less forward than he. + +The valley was about half a square mile in area, of which the lake in +the center occupied one-fourth, the rest being in dense forest. +The three soon had their lines in water, and they waited full of +anticipation, but they waited in vain until long after night had come. +Not one of the three received a bite. The lines floated idly. + +"Every lake in the mountains except one is full of fish--except one!" +exclaimed Robert bitterly, "and this is the one!" + +"No, it is not that," said Tayoga gravely. "It means that the face +of Areskoui is still turned from us, that the good Sun God does not +relent for our unknown sin. We must have offended him deeply that he +should remain angry with us so long. This lake is swarming with fish, +like the others of the mountains, but he has willed that not one +should hang upon our hooks. Why waste time?" + +He drew his line from the water, wound it up carefully and replaced +it in his pack. The others, after a fruitless wait, imitated him, +convinced that he was right. Then, after infinite pains, as before, +they built two fires again, and slept between them. But the next +morning all three were weak. Their vitality had declined fast in the +night, and the situation became critical in the extreme. + +"We must find food or we die," said Willet. "We might linger a long +time, but soon we won't have the strength to hunt, and then it would +only be a question of when the wolves took us." + +"I can hear them howling now on the slopes," said Tayoga. "They know +we are here, and that our strength is declining. They will not face +our rifles, but will wait until we are too weak to use them." + +"What is your plan, Dave?" asked Robert. + +"There must be game on the slopes. What say you, Tayoga?" + +"If Areskoui has willed for game to be there it will be there. He +will even send it to us. And perhaps he has decided that he has now +punished us enough." + +"It certainly won't hurt for us to try, and perhaps we'd better +separate. Robert, you go west; Tayoga, you take the eastern slopes, +and I'll hunt toward the north. By night we'll all be back at this +spot, full-handed or empty-handed, as it may be, but full-handed, I +hope." + +He spoke cheerfully, and the others responded in like fashion. Action +gave them a mental and physical tonic, and bracing their weak bodies +they started in the direction allotted to each. Robert forgot, for a +little while, the terrible hunger that seemed to be preying upon his +very fiber, and, as he started away, showed an elasticity and buoyancy +of which he could not have dreamed himself capable five minutes +before. + +Westward stretched forest, lofty in the valley, high on the slopes and +everywhere dense. He plunged into it, and then looked back. Tayoga and +Willet were already gone from his sight, seeking what he sought. Their +experience in the wilderness was greater than his, and they were +superior to him in trailing, but he was very hopeful that it would be +his good fortune to find the game they needed so badly, the game they +must have soon, in truth, or perish. + +The valley was deep in slush and mire, and the water soaked through +his leggings and moccasins again, but he paid no attention to it now. +His new courage and strength lasted. Glancing up at the heavens he +beheld a little rift in the western clouds. A bar of light was +let through, and his mind, so imaginative, so susceptible to the +influences of earth and air, at once saw it as an omen. It was a +pillar of fire to him, and his faith was confirmed. + +"Areskoui is turning back his face, and he smiles upon us," he said to +himself. Then looking carefully to his rifle, he held it ready for an +instant shot. + +He came to the westward edge of the valley, and found the slope before +him gentle but rocky. He paused there a while in indecision, and, +then glancing up again at the bar of light that had grown broader, he +murmured, so much had he imbibed the religion and philosophy of the +Iroquois: + +"O Areskoui, direct me which way to go." + +The reply came, almost like a whisper in his ear: + +"Try the rocks." + +It always seemed to him that it was a real whisper, not his own mind +prompting him, and he walked boldly among the rocks which stretched +for a long distance along the slopes. Then, or for the time, at least, +he felt sure that a powerful hand was directing him. He saw tracks in +the soft soil between the strong uplifts and he believed that they +were fresh. Hollows were numerous there, and game of a certain kind +would seek them in bitter weather. + +His heart began to pound hard, too heavily, in fact, for his weakened +frame, and he was compelled to stop and steady himself. Then he +resumed the hunt once more, looking here and there between the rocky +uplifts and in the deep depressions. He lost the tracks and then +he found them, apparently fresher than ever. Would he take what he +sought? Was the face of Areskoui still inclining toward him? He looked +up and the bar of light was steadily growing broader and longer. The +smile of the Sun God was deeper, and his doubts went away, one by one. + +He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at +him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle +leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not +miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the +heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him. + +Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly +grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was +food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced. +Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while +he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The +wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was +resolved they should have none. + +He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle, +long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than +the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the +opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew +that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared, +striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full +of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors. + +"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of +a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed. +Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here +is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us." + +Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet +caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened +condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he +revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of +the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without +undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did +they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little +pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval +between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and +vigorous, poured back into their veins. + +"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a +good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving +our lives." + +"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is +now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiated. We must cook all +the bear, and hang the flesh in the trees." + +"So we must," said the hunter. "It's not right that we three, who are +engaged in the great service of our country, should be hindered by the +danger of starvation. We ought now to be somewhere near the French and +Indians, watching them." + +"Tomorrow we will seek them, Great Bear," said Tayoga, "but do you not +think that tonight we should rest?" + +"So we should, Tayoga. You're right. We'll take all chances on being +seen, keep a good fire going and enjoy our comfort." + +"And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so," said Robert. + +"If we feel like it that's just what we'll do," laughed Willet. "It's +our night, now. Surely, Robert, you're the greatest hunter in the +world! Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked +straight to your bear." + +"No irony," said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased. "It merely +proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you +two. But don't you notice a tremendous change?" + +"Change! Change in what?" + +"Why, everything! The whole world is transformed! Around us a +little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now +magnificent and cheerful. I never saw finer oaks and beeches. That sky +which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and +purples of a benevolent sunset. The wind, lately cold and wet, is +actually growing soft, dry and warm. It's a grand world, a kind world, +a friendly world!" + +"Thus, O Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "does the stomach rule man and the +universe. It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that +was black turns to rose. But the rose will soon be gone, because the +sunlight is fading and night is at hand." + +"But it's a fine night," said Robert sincerely. "I think it about the +finest night I ever saw coming." + +"Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks," said Willet, "and +you'll be sure it's the finest night that ever was or ever will be." + +"I think I will," said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a +sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling +sound, "and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, +I may take another." + +The revulsion in all three was tremendous. Although they had hidden +it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had +made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was +returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes. They +lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they +thought little of danger. Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it +did not disturb men who were as happy as they. The night came down, +heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, +but they remained before the coals, sunk in content. + +They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became +silent. The big hunter considered. He knew that, despite the revulsion +in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great +campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a +while in the valley until they were restored fully. + +Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert +kept the first watch. The night, in reality, had turned much warmer +and the sky was luminous with stars. The immense sense of comfort +remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the +wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he +knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men. + +His spirits, high as they were already, rose steadily as he watched. +Surely after the Supreme Power had cast them down into the depths, a +miracle had been worked in their behalf to take them out again. It was +no skill of his that had led him to the bear, but strength far greater +than that of man was now acting in their behalf. As they had triumphed +over starvation they would triumph over everything. His sanguine mind +predicted it. + +The next morning was crisp and cold, but not wet, and Robert ate the +most savory breakfast he could recall. That bear must have been fed on +the choicest of wild nuts, topped off with wild honey, to have been so +juicy and tender, and the thought of nuts caused him to look under the +big hickory trees, where he found many of them, large and ripe. They +made a most welcome addition to their bill of fare, taking the place +of bread. Then, they were so well pleased with themselves that they +concluded to spend another day and night in the valley. + +Tayoga about noon climbed the enclosing ridge to the north, and, when +he returned, Willet noticed a sparkle in his eyes. But the hunter said +nothing, knowing that the Onondaga would speak in his own good time. + +"There is another valley beyond the ridge," said Tayoga, "and a war +party is encamped in it. They sit by their fire and eat prodigiously +of deer they have killed." + +Robert was startled, but he kept silent, he, too, knowing that Tayoga +would tell all he intended to tell without urging. + +"They do not know we are here, I do not think they dream of our +presence," continued the Onondaga, "Areskoui smiles on us now, and +Tododaho on his star, which we cannot see by day, is watching over us. +Their feet will not bring them this way." + +"Then you wouldn't suggest our taking to flight?" said Willet. "You +would favor hiding here in peace?" + +"Even so. It will please us some day to remember that we rested and +slept almost within hearing of our enemies, and yet they did not take +us." + +"That's grim humor, Tayoga, but if it's the way you feel, Robert and I +are with you." + +Later in the afternoon they saw smoke rising beyond the ridge and +they knew the warriors had built a great fire before which they were +probably lying and gorging themselves, after their fashion when they +had plenty of food, and little else to do. Yet the three remained +defiantly all that day and all through the following night. The next +morning, with ample supplies in their packs, they turned their faces +southward, and cautiously climbed the ridge in that direction, once +more passing into the region of the peaks. To their surprise they +struck several comparatively fresh trails in the passes, and they were +soon forced to the conclusion that the hostile forces were still all +about them. Near midday they stopped in a narrow gorge between high +peaks and listened to calls of the inhabitants of the forest, the +faint howls of wolves, and once or twice the yapping of a fox. + +"The warriors signaling to one another!" said Willet. + +"It is so," said Tayoga. "I think they have noticed our tracks in +the earth, too slight, perhaps, to tell who we are, but they will +undertake to see." + +"I hear the call of a moose directly ahead," said Robert, "although I +know it is no moose that makes it. Our way there is cut off." + +"And there is the howl of the wolf behind us," said Tayoga. "We cannot +go back." + +"Then," said Robert, "I suppose we must climb the mountain. It's lucky +we've got our strength again." + +They scaled a lofty summit once more, fortunately being able to climb +among rocks, where they left no trail, and, crouched at the crest in +dense bushes, they saw two bands meet in the valley below, evidently +searching for the fugitives. There was no white man among them, but +Robert knew a gigantic figure to be that of Tandakora, seeking them +with the most intense and bitter hatred. The muzzle of his rifle began +to slide forward, but Willet put out a detaining hand. + +"No, Robert, lad," he said. "He deserves it, but his time hasn't come +yet. Besides your shot would bring the whole crowd up after us." + +"And he belongs to me," added Tayoga. "When he falls it is to be by my +hand." + +"Yes, he belongs to you, Tayoga," said Willet "Now they've concluded +that we continued toward the south, and they're going on that way." + +As they felt the need of the utmost caution they spent the remainder +of the day and the next night on the crest. Robert kept the late +watch, and he saw the dawn come, red and misty, a huge sun shining +over the eastern mountains, but shedding little warmth. He was hopeful +that Tandakora and his warriors had passed on far into the south, but +he heard a distant cry rising in the clear air east of the peak and +then a reply to the west. His heart stood still for a moment. He +knew that they were the whoops of the savages and he felt that they +signified a discovery. Perhaps chance had disclosed their trail. He +listened with great intentness, but the shouts did not come again. +Nevertheless the omen was bad. + +He awoke Willet and the Onondaga, who had been sleeping soundly, +and told them what had happened, both agreeing that the shouts were +charged with import. + +"I think it likely that we will be attacked," said the hunter. "Now we +must take another look at our position." + +The peak, luckily for them, was precipitous, and its crest did not +cover an area of more than twenty or thirty square yards. On the three +sides the ascent was so steep that a man could not climb up except +with extreme difficulty, but on the fourth, by which they had come, +the slope was more gradual. The gentle climb faced the east, and it +was here that the hunter and Robert watched, while Tayoga, for the +sake of utmost precaution, kept an eye on the steep sides. + +Knowing that it was wise to economize and even to increase their +strength, they ate abundantly of the bear steaks, afterward craving +water, which they were forced to do without--the one great flaw in +their position, since the warriors might hold them there to perish of +thirst. + +Robert soon forgot the desire for water in the tenseness of watching +and waiting. But even the anxiety and the peril to his life did not +keep him from noticing the singularity of his situation, upon the +slender peak of a high mountain far in the wilderness. The sun, full +of splendor but still cold, touched with gold all the surrounding +crests and ridges and filled with a yellow but luxurious haze every +gorge and ravine. He was compelled to admire its wintry beauty, a +beauty, though, that he knew to be treacherous, surcharged as it was +with savage wile and stratagem, and a burning desire for their lives. + +A time that seemed incredible passed without demonstration from the +enemy. But he realized that it was only about two hours. He did not +expect to see any of the warriors creeping up the slopes toward them, +but too wise to watch for their faces he did expect to notice the +bushes move ever so slightly under their advance. He and Willet +remained crouched in the same positions in the shelter of high rocks. +Tayoga, who had been moving about the far side, came to them and +whispered: + +"I am going down the northern face of the cliff!" + +"Why, it's sheer insanity, Tayoga!" said the astonished hunter. + +"But I'm going." + +"What'll you achieve after you've gone? You'll merely walk into +Tandakora's hands!" + +"I go, Great Bear, and I will return in a half hour, alive and well." + +"Is your mind upset, Tayoga?" + +"I am quite sane. Remember, Great Bear, I will be back in a half hour +unhurt." + +Then he was gone, gliding away through the low vegetation that covered +the crest, and Robert and the hunter looked at each other. + +"There is more in this than the eye sees," said young Lennox. "I never +knew Tayoga to speak with more confidence. I think he will be back +just as he says, in half an hour." + +"Maybe, though I don't understand it. But there are lots of things one +doesn't understand. We must keep our eyes on the slope, and let Tayoga +solve his own problem, whatever it is." + +There was no wind at all, but once Robert thought he saw the shrubs +halfway down the steep move, though he was not sure and nothing +followed. But, intently watching the place where the motion had +occurred, he caught a gleam of metal which he was quite sure came from +a rifle barrel. + +"Did you see it?" he whispered to the hunter. + +"Aye, lad," replied Willet. "They're there in that dense clump, hoping +we've relaxed the watch and that they can surprise us. But it may be +two or three hours before they come any farther. Always remember in +your dealings with Indians that they have more time than anything +else, and so they know how to be patient. Now, I wonder what Tayoga is +doing! That boy certainly had something unusual on his mind!" + +"Here he is, ready to speak for himself, and back inside his promised +half hour." + +Tayoga parted the bushes without noise, and sat down between them +behind the big rocks. He offered no explanation, but seemed very +content with himself. + +"Well, Tayoga," said Willet, "did you go down the side of the +mountain?" + +"As far as I wished." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I have been engaged in a very pleasant task, Great Bear." + +"What pleasure can you find in scaling a steep and rocky slope?" + +"I have been drinking, Great Bear, drinking the fresh, pure water of +the mountains, and it was wonderfully cool and good to my dry throat." + +The two gazed at him in astonishment, and he laughed low, but with +deep enjoyment. + +"I took one drink, two drinks, three drinks," he said, "and when the +time comes I shall take more. The fountain also awaits the lips of the +Great Bear and of Dagaeoga." + +"Tell it all," said Robert. + +"When I looked down the steep side a long time I thought I caught a +gleam as of falling water in the bushes. It was only twenty or thirty +yards below us, and, when I descended to it, I found a little fountain +bursting from a crevice in the rock. It was but a thread, making +a tiny pool a few inches across, before it dropped away among the +bushes, but it is very cool, very clear, and there is always plenty of +it for many men." + +"Is the descent hard?" asked Willet. + +"Not for one who is strong and cautious. There are thick vines and +bushes to which to hold, and remember that the splendid water is at +the end of the journey." + +"Then, Robert, you go," said the hunter, "and mind, too, that you get +back soon, because my throat is parching. I'd like to have one deep +drink before the warriors attack." + +Robert followed Tayoga, and, obeying his instructions, was soon at the +fountain, where he drank once, twice, thrice, and then once more +of the finest water he could recall. Then, deeply grateful for the +Onondaga's observation, he climbed back, and the hunter took his turn. + +"It was certainly good, Tayoga," he said, when he was back in +position. "Some men don't think much of water, but none of us can live +without it. You've saved our lives." + +"Perhaps, O Great Bear," responded the Onondaga, "but if the bushes +below continue to shake as they are doing we shall have to save them +again. Ah!" + +The exclamation, long drawn but low, was followed by the leap of his +rifle to the shoulder, and the pressing of his finger on the trigger. +A stream of fire sprang from the muzzle of the long barrel to be +followed by a yell in one of the thickets clustering on the slope. A +savage rose to his feet, threw up his arms and fell headlong, his body +crashing far below on the rocks. Robert shut his eyes and shivered. + +"He was dead before he touched earth, lad," said the hunter. "Now the +others are ready to scramble back. Look how the bushes are shaking +again!" + +Robert had shut his eyes only for a moment, and now he saw the scrub +shaking more violently than ever. Then he had a fleeting glimpse of +brown bodies as all the warriors descended rapidly. Anyone of the +three might have fired with good aim, but they did not raise their +rifles. Since their enemies were retreating they would let them +retreat. + +"They're all back in the valley now," said the hunter after a little +while, "and they'll think a lot before they try the steep ascent a +second time. Now it's a question of patience, and they hope we'll +become so weak from thirst that we'll fall into their hands." + +"Tandakora and his warriors would be consumed with anger if they knew +of our spring," said Tayoga. + +"They'll find out about it soon," said Robert. + +"I think not," said Tayoga. "I noticed when I was at the fountain that +the rivulet ran back into the cliff about a hundred feet below, and +one can see the water only from the crest. If Areskoui has allowed us +to be besieged here, he at least has created much in our favor." + +He looked toward the east, where the great red sun was shining, and +worshiped silently. It seemed to Robert that his young comrade stared +unwinking for a long time into the eye of the Sun God, though perhaps +it was only a few seconds. But his form expanded and his face was +illumined. Robert knew that the Onondaga's confidence had become +supreme, and he shared in it. + +The hunter and Tayoga kept the watch after a while, and young Lennox +was free to wander about the crest as he wished. He examined carefully +the three sides they had left unguarded, but was convinced that no +warrior, no matter how skillful and tenacious, could climb up there. +Then he wandered back toward the sentinels, and, sitting down under a +tree, began to study the distant slopes across the gorge. + +He saw the warriors gather by-and-by in a deep recess out of rifle +shot, light a fire and begin to cook great quantities of game, as +if they meant to stay there and keep the siege until doomsday, if +necessary. He saw the gigantic figure of Tandakora approach the fire, +eat voraciously for a while and then go away. After him came a white +man in French uniform. He thought at first it was St. Luc and his +heart beat hard, but he was able to discern presently that it was an +officer not much older than himself, in a uniform of white faced with +violet and a black, three-cornered hat. Finally he recognized young De +Galissonnière, whom he had met in Québec, and whom he had seen a few +days since in the French camp. + +As he looked De Galissonnière left the recess, descended into the +valley and then began to climb their slope, a white handkerchief held +aloft on the point of his small sword. Young Lennox immediately joined +the two watchers at the brink. + +"A flag of truce! Now what can he want!" he exclaimed. + +"We'll soon see," replied Willet. "He's within good hearing now, and +I'll hail him." + +He shouted in powerful tones that echoed in the gorge: + +"Below there! What is it?" + +"I have something to say that will be of great importance to you," +replied De Galissonnière. + +"Then come forward, while we remain here. We don't trust your allies." + +Robert saw the face of the young Frenchman flush, but De +Galissonnière, as if knowing the truth, and resolved not to quibble +over it, climbed steadily. When he was within twenty feet of the +crest the hunter called to him to halt, and he did so, leaning easily +against a strong bush, while the three waited eagerly to hear what he +had to say. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE GODS AT PLAY + +De Galissonnière gazed at the three faces, peering at him over the +brink, and then drew himself together jauntily. His position, perched +on the face of the cliff, was picturesque, and he made the most of it. + +"I am glad to see you again Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and Tayoga, the +brave Onondaga," he said. "It's been a long time since we met in +Québec and much water has flowed under that bridge of Avignon, of +which we French sing, but I can't see that any one of you has changed +much." + +"Nor you," said Robert, catching his tone and acting as spokesman +for the three. "The circumstances are unusual, Captain Louis de +Galissonnière, and I'm sorry I can't invite you to come up on our +crest, but it wouldn't be military to let you have a look at our +fortifications." + +"I understand, and I do very well where I am. I wish to say first that +I am sorry to see you in such a plight." + +"And we, Captain, regret to find you allied with such a savage as +Tandakora." + +A quick flush passed over the young Frenchman's face, but he made no +other sign. + +"In war one cannot always choose," he replied. "I have come to receive +your surrender, and I warn you very earnestly that it will be wise for +you to tender it. The Indians have lost one man already and they are +inflamed. If they lose more I might not be able to control them." + +"And if we yield ourselves you pledge us our lives, a transfer in +safety to Canada where we are to remain as prisoners of war, until +such time as we may be exchanged?" + +"All that I promise, and gladly." + +"You're sure, Captain de Galissonnière, that you can carry out the +conditions?" + +"Absolutely sure. You are surrounded here on the peak, and you cannot +get away. All we have to do is to keep the siege." + +"That is true, but while you can wait so can we." + +"But we have plenty of water, and you have none." + +"You would urge us again to surrender on the ground that it would be +the utmost wisdom for us to do so?" + +"It goes without saying, Mr. Lennox." + +"Then, that being the case, we decline." + +De Galissonnière looked up in astonishment at the young face that +gazed down at him. The answer he had expected was quite the reverse. + +"You mean that you refuse?" he exclaimed. + +"It is just what I meant." + +"May I ask why, when you are in such a hopeless position?" + +"Tayoga, Mr. Willet and I wish to see how long we can endure the pangs +of thirst without total collapse. We've had quite a difference on the +subject. Tayoga says ten days, Mr. Willet twelve days, but I think we +can stand it a full two weeks." + +De Galissonnière frowned. + +"You are frivolous, Mr. Lennox," he said, "and this is not a time for +light talk. I don't know what you mean, but it seems to me you don't +appreciate the dire nature of your peril. I liked you and your +comrades when I met you in Québec and I do not wish to see you perish +at the hands of the savages. That is why I have climbed up here to +make you this offer, which I have wrung from the reluctant Tandakora. +It was he who assured me that the besieged were you. It pains me that +you see fit to reject it." + +"I know it was made out of a good heart," said Robert, seriously, "and +we thank you for the impulse that brought you here. Some day we may be +able to repay it, but we decline because there are always chances. You +know, Captain, that while we have life we always have hope. We may yet +escape." + +"I do not see wherein it is possible," said the young Frenchman, with +actual reluctance in his tone. "But it is for you to decide what you +wish to do. Farewell." + +"Farewell, Captain de Galissonnière," said Robert, with the utmost +sincerity. "I hope no bullet of ours will touch you." + +The captain made a courteous gesture of good-by and slowly descended +the slope, disappearing among the bushes in the gorge, whence came a +fierce and joyous shout. + +"That was the cry of the savages when he told them our answer," said +Willet. "They don't want us to surrender. They think that by-and-by +we'll fall into their hands through exhaustion, and then they can work +their will upon us." + +"They don't know about that fountain, that pure, blessed fountain," +said Robert, "the finest fountain that gushes out anywhere in this +northern wilderness, the fountain that Tayoga's Areskoui has put here +for our especial benefit." + +His heart had become very light and, as usual when his optimism was +at its height, words gushed forth. Water, and their ability to get it +whenever they wanted it, was the key to everything, and he painted +their situation in such bright colors that his two comrades could not +keep from sharing his enthusiasm. + +"Truly, Dagaeoga did not receive the gift of words in vain," said +Tayoga. "Golden speech flows from him, and it lifts up the minds +of those who hear. Manitou finds a use for everybody, even for the +orator." + +"Though it was a hard task, even for Manitou," laughed Robert. + +They watched the whole afternoon without any demonstration from the +enemy--they expected none--and toward evening the Onondaga, who was +gazing into the north, announced a dark shadow on the horizon. + +"What is it?" asked Robert. "A cloud? I hope we won't have another +storm." + +"It is no cloud," replied Tayoga. "It is something else that moves +very fast, and it comes in our direction. A little longer and I can +tell what it is. Now I see; it is a flight of wild pigeons, a great +flock, hundreds of thousands, and millions, going south to escape the +winter." + +"We've seen such flights often." + +"So we have, but this is coming straight toward us, and I have a great +thought, Dagaeoga. Areskoui has not only forgiven us for our unknown +sin--perhaps of omission--but he has also decided to put help in our +way, if we will use it. You see many dwarf trees at the southern edge +of the crest, and I believe that by dark they will be covered with +pigeons, stopping for the night." + +"And some of them will stop for our benefit, though we have bear meat +too! I see, Tayoga." + +Robert watched the flying cloud, which had grown larger and blacker, +and then he saw that Tayoga was right. It was an immense flock of wild +pigeons, and, as the twilight fell, they covered the trees upon their +crest so thickly that the boughs bent beneath them. Young Lennox and +the Onondaga killed as many as they wished with sticks, and soon, fat +and juicy, they were broiling over the coals. + +"Tandakora will guess that the pigeons have fed us," said Robert, "and +he will not like it, but he will yet know nothing about the water." + +They climbed down in turn in the darkness and took a drink, and +Robert, who explored a little, found many vines loaded with wild +grapes, ripe and rich, which made a splendid dessert. Then he took +a number of the smaller but very tough stems, and knotting them +together, with the assistance of Tayoga ran a strong rope from the +crest down to the fountain, thus greatly easing the descent for water +and the return. + +"Now we can take two drinks where we took one before," he said +triumphantly when the task was finished. "If you have your water there +is nothing like making it easy to be reached. Moreover, while it was +safe for an agile fellow like me, you and Dave, Tayoga, being stiff +and clumsy, might have tumbled down the mountain and then I should +have been lonesome." + +Willet, who had been keeping the watch alone, was inclined to the +belief that they might expect an attack in the night, if it should +prove to be very dark. He felt able, however, should such an attempt +come, to detect the advance of the savages, either by sight or +hearing, especially the latter, ear in such cases generally informing +him earlier than eye. But as neither Robert nor Tayoga was busy they +joined him, and all three sat near the brink with their rifles across +their knees, and their pistols loosened in their belts, ready for +their foes should they come in numbers. + +They talked a while in low tones, and then fell silent. The night had +come, starless and moonless, favorable to the designs of Tandakora, +but they felt intense satisfaction, nevertheless. It was partly +physical. Robert's making of an easy road to the water, the coming of +the pigeons, to be eaten, apparently sent by Areskoui, and the ease +with which they believed they could hold their lofty fortress, +combined to produce a victorious state of mind. Robert looked over the +brink once or twice at the steep slope, and he felt that the warriors +would, in truth, be taking a mighty risk, if they came up that steep +path against the three. + +He and Tayoga, in the heavy darkness, depended, like Willet, chiefly +on ear. It was impossible to see to the bottom of the valley, where +the dusk had rolled up like a sea, but, as the night was still, they +felt sure they could hear anyone climbing up the peak. In order to +make themselves more comfortable they spread their blankets at the +very brink, and lay down upon them, thus being able to repose, and at +the same time watch without the risk of inviting a shot. + +Young Lennox knew that the attack, if it came at all, would not come +until late, and restraining his naturally eager and impatient temper, +he used all the patience that his strong will could summon, never +ceasing meanwhile to lend an attentive ear to every sound of the +night. He heard the wind rise, moan a little while in the gorge and +then die; he heard a fitful breeze rustle the boughs on the slopes and +then grow still, and he heard his comrades move once or twice to ease +their positions, but no other sound came to him until nearly midnight, +and then he heard the fall of a pebble on the slope, absolute proof +to one experienced as he that it had been displaced by the incautious +foot of a climbing enemy. + +The rattling of the pebble was succeeded by a long interval of +silence, and the lad understood that too. The warriors, to whom time +was nothing, fearing that suspicion had been aroused by the fall of +the pebble, would wait until it had been lulled before resuming their +advance. They would flatten themselves like lizards against the slope, +not stirring an inch. But the three were as patient as they, and while +a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest +sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a +particle. Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and +they peered cautiously over. + +They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes +about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, +whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his +fire in reserve. Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in +the darkness and pulled trigger. Shouts, the fall of bodies and the +crackling of rifles came back. A half dozen bullets, fired almost at +random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at +a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall +following at once. + +Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and +held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come. But it +did not come. Even the rage of Tandakora had had enough. His second +repulse had been bloodier than the first, and it had been proved with +the lives of his warriors that they could not storm that terrible +steep, in the face of three such redoubtable marksmen. + +Robert heard a number of pebbles rolling now, but they were made by +men descending, and the three, certain of abundant leisure, reloaded +their rifles. Their eyes told them nothing, but they were as sure as +if they had seen them that the warriors had disappeared in the sea of +darkness with which the gulf was filled. The lad breathed a long sigh +of relief. + +"You're justified in your satisfaction," said Willet. "I think it's +the last direct attack they'll make upon us. Now they'll try the slow +methods of siege and our exhaustion by thirst, and how it would make +their venom rise if they knew anything about that glorious fountain +of ours! Since it's to be a test of patience, we'd better make things +easy for ourselves. I'll sit here and watch the slope, and, as the +night is turning cold, you and Tayoga, Robert, can build a fire." + +There was a dip in the center of the crest, and in this they heaped +the fallen wood, which here as elsewhere in the wilderness was +abundant. Wood and water, two great requisites of primitive man, they +had in plenty, and had it not been for their eagerness to go forward +with their work they would have been content to stay indefinitely on +the peak. + +The fire was soon blazing cheerfully. Warriors on the opposing peaks +or crest might see it, but they did not care. No bullets from rival +heights could reach them and the light would appear to their enemies +as a beacon of defiance, a sort of challenge that was very pleasing to +Robert's soul. He basked in the glow and heat of the coals, ate bear +meat and wild pigeon for a late supper, and discoursed on the strength +of their natural fortress. + +"The peak was reared here by Areskoui for our especial benefit," he +said. "It is in every sense a tower of strength, water even being +placed in its side that we might not die of thirst." + +"And yet we cannot stay here always," said the Onondaga. "Tomorrow we +must think of a way of escape." + +"Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tayoga, you're too serious! You're +missing the pleasure of the night." + +"Dagaeoga loves to talk and he talks well. His voice is pleasant in my +ear like to the murmur of a silver brook. Perhaps he is right. Lo! the +clouds have gone, and I can see Tododaho on his star. Areskoui watches +over us by day and Tododaho by night. We are once more the favorites +of the Sun God and of the great Onondaga who went away to his +everlasting star more than four centuries ago. Again I say Dagaeoga is +right; I will enjoy the night, and let the morrow care for itself." + +He drew the folds of his blanket to his chin and stretched his length +before the fire. Having made up his mind to be satisfied, Tayoga would +let nothing interfere with such a laudable purpose. Soon he slept +peacefully. + +"You might follow him," said Willet. + +"I don't think I can do it now," said Robert. "I've a restless +spirit." + +"Then wander about the peak, and I'll take up my old place at the edge +of the slope." + +Robert went back to the far side, where he had stretched his rope of +grape vines down to the spring, and, craving their cool, fresh taste, +he ate more of the grapes. He noticed then that they were uncommonly +plentiful. All along the cliff they trailed in great, rich clusters, +black and glossy, fairly asking to be eaten. In places the vines +hung in perfect mazes, and he looked at them questioningly. Then +the thought came to him and he wondered why it had been so slow of +arrival. He returned to Willet and said: + +"I don't think you need watch any longer here, Dave." + +"Why?" was the hunter's astonished reply. + +"Because we're going to leave the mountain." + +"Leave the mountain! It's more likely, Robert, that your prudence has +left you. If we went down the slope we'd go squarely into the horde, +and then it would be a painful and lingering end for us." + +"I don't mean the slope. We're to go down the other side of the +cliff." + +"Except here and near the bottom the mountain is as steep everywhere +as the side of a house. The only way for us to get down is to fall +down and then we'd stop too quick." + +"We don't have to fall down, we'll climb down." + +"Can't be done, Robert, my boy. There's not enough bushes." + +"We don't need bushes, there are miles of grape vines as strong as +leather. All we have to do is to knot them together securely and our +rope is ready. If we eased our way to the spring with vines then we +can finish the journey to the bottom of the cliff with them." + +The hunter's gaze met that of the lad, and it was full of approval. + +"I believe you've found the way, Robert," said Willet. "Wake Tayoga +and see what he thinks." + +The Onondaga received the proposal with enthusiasm, and he made the +further suggestion that they build high the fire for the sake of +deceiving the besiegers. + +"And suppose we prop up two or three pieces of fallen tree trunk +before it," added Robert. "Warriors watching on the opposite slopes +will take them for our figures and will not dream that we're +attempting to escape." + +That idea, too, was adopted, and in a few minutes the fire was blazing +and roaring, while a stream of sparks drifted up merrily from it to be +lost in the dusk. Near it the fragments of tree trunks set erect would +pass easily, at a great distance and in the dark, for human beings. +Then, while Willet watched, Robert and Tayoga knotted the vines with +quick and dextrous hands, throwing the cable over a bough, and trying +every knot with their double weight. A full two hours they toiled and +then they exulted. + +"It will reach from the clump of bushes about the fountain to the next +clump below, which is low down," said Robert, "and from there we can +descend without help." + +They called Willet, and the three, leaving the crest which had been +such a refuge for them and which they had defended so well, descended +to the fountain. At that point they secured their cable with infinite +care to the largest of the dwarf trees and let it drop over across a +bare space to the next clump of bushes below, a distance that seemed +very great, it was so steep. Robert claimed the honor of the first +descent, but it was finally conceded to Tayoga, who was a trifle +lighter. + +The Onondaga fastened securely upon his back his rifle and his pack +containing food, and then, grasping the cable firmly with both hands, +he began to go down, while his friends watched with great anxiety. He +was not obliged to swing clear his whole weight, but was able to brace +his feet against the cliff. Thus he steadied the vines, but Robert and +Willet nevertheless breathed great sighs of relief, when he reached +the bushes below, and detached himself from the cable. + +"It is safe," he called back. + +Robert went next and Willet followed. When the three were in the +bushes, clinging to their tough and wiry strength, they found that the +difficulties, as they invariably do, had decreased. Below them the +slope was not so steep by any means, and, by holding to the rocky +outcrops and scant bushes, they could make the full descent of the +mountain. While they rested for a little space where they were, Robert +suddenly began to laugh. + +"Is Dagaeoga rejoicing so soon?" asked Tayoga + +"Why shouldn't I laugh," replied Robert, "when we have such a good +jest?" + +"What jest? I see none." + +"Why, to think of Tandakora sitting at the foot of our peak and +watching there three or four days, waiting all the time for us to die +of hunger and thirst, and we far to the south. At least he'll see that +the mountain doesn't get away, and Tandakora, I take it, has small +sense of humor. When he penetrates the full measure of the joke he'll +love us none the less. Perhaps, though, De Galissonnière will not +mourn, because he knows that if we were taken after a siege he could +not save us from the cruelty of the savages." + +The hunter and the Onondaga were forced to laugh a little with him, +and then, rested thoroughly, they resumed the descent, leaving their +cable to tell its own tale, later on. The rest of the slope, although +possible, was slow and painful, testing their strength and skill to +the utmost, but they triumphed over everything and before day were in +a gorge, with the entire height of the peak towering above them and +directly between them and their enemies. Here they flung themselves +on the ground and rested until day, when they began a rapid flight +southward, curving about among the peaks, as the easiest way led them. + +The air rapidly grew warmer, showing that the sudden winter had come +only on the high mountains, and that autumn yet lingered on the lower +levels. The gorgeous reds and yellows and browns and vivid shades +between returned, but there was a haze in the air and the west was +dusky. + +"Storm will come again before night," said Tayoga. + +"I think so too," said Willet, "and as I've no mind to be beaten about +by it, suppose we build a spruce shelter in the gorge here and wait +until it passes." + +The two lads were more than willing, feeling that the chance of +pursuit had passed for a long time at least, and they set to work with +their sharp hatchets, rapidly making a crude but secure wickiup, as +usual against the rocky side of a hill. Before the task was done the +sky darkened much more, and far in the west thunder muttered. + +"It's rolling down a gorge," said Robert, "and hark! you can hear it +also in the south." + +From a point, far distant from the first, came a like rumble, and, +after a few moments of silence, a third rumble was heard to the east. +Silence again and then the far rumble came from the south. + +"That's odd," said Robert. "It isn't often that you hear thunder on +all sides of you." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Tayoga, whose face bore a rapt and extraordinary +look. The four rumbles again went around the horizon, coming from one +point after the other in turn. + +"It is no ordinary thunder," said the Onondaga in a tone of deep +conviction. + +"What is it, then?" asked Robert. + +"It is Manitou, Areskoui, Tododaho and Hayowentha talking together. +That is why we have the thunder north, east, south and west. Hear +their voices carrying all through the heavens!" + +"Which is Manitou?" + +"That I cannot tell. But the great gods talk, one with another, though +what they say is not for us to know. It is not right that mere mortals +like ourselves should understand them, when they speak across infinite +space." + +"It may be that you're right, Tayoga," said Willet. + +The three did not yet go into the spruce shelter, because, contrary to +the signs, there was no rain. The wind moaned heavily and thick black +clouds swept up in an almost continuous procession from the western +horizon, but they did not let a drop fall. The thunder at the four +points of the horizon went on, the reports moving from north to east, +and thence to south and west, and then around and around, always in +the same direction. After every crash there was a long rumble in the +gorges until the next crash came again. Now and then lightning flared. + +"It is not a storm after all," said the Onondaga, "or, at least, if a +storm should come it will not be until after night is at hand, when +the great gods are through talking. Listen to the heavy booming, +always like the sound of a thousand big guns at one time. Now the +lightning grows and burns until it is at a white heat. The great gods +not only talk, but they are at play. They hurl thunderbolts through +infinite space, and watch them fall. Then they send thunder rumbling +through our mountains, and the sound is as soft to them as a whisper +to us." + +"Your idea is pretty sound, Tayoga," said Willet, who had imbibed more +than a little of the Iroquois philosophy, "and it does look as if the +gods were at play because there is so much thunder and lightning and +no rain. Look at that flash on the mountain toward the east! I think +it struck. Yes, there goes a tree! When the gods play among the peaks +it's just as well for us to stay down here in the gorge." + +"But the crashes still run regularly from north to east and on +around," said Robert. "I suppose that when they finish talking, the +rain will come, and we'll have plenty of need for our spruce shelter." + +The deep rumbling continued all through the rest of the afternoon. +A dusk as of twilight arrived long before sunset, but it was of an +unusually dull, grayish hue, and it affected Robert as if he were +breathing an air surcharged with gunpowder. It colored and intensified +everything. The peaks and ridges rose to greater heights, the gorges +and valleys were deeper, the reports of the thunder, extremely heavy, +in fact, were doubled and tripled in fancy; all that Tayoga had said +about the play of the gods was true. Tododaho, the great Onondaga, +spoke across the void to Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, and Areskoui, +the Sun God, conversed with Manitou, the All Powerful, Himself. + +The imaginative lad felt awe but no fear. The gods at play in the +heavens would not condescend to harm a humble mortal like himself and +it was an actual pleasure because he was there to hear them. Just +before the invisible sun went over the rim of the horizon, a brilliant +red light shot for a minute or two from the west through the gray +haze, and fell on the faces of the three, sitting in silence before +their spruce shelter. + +"It is Areskoui throwing off his most brilliant beams before he goes," +said Tayoga. "Now I think the play will soon be over, and we may look +for the rain." + +The crashes of thunder increased swiftly and greatly in violence, and +then, as the Onondaga had predicted, ceased abruptly. The silence that +followed was so heavy that it was oppressive. No current of air was +moving anywhere. Not a leaf stirred. The grayish haze became thicker +and every ridge and peak was hidden. Presently a sound like a sigh +came down the gorge, but it soon grew. + +"We'll go inside," said Tayoga, "because the deluge is at hand." + +They crowded themselves into their crude little hut, and in five +minutes the flood was upon them, pouring with such violence that some +of it forced its way through the hasty thatch, but they were able +to protect themselves with their blankets, and they slept the night +through in a fair degree of comfort. + +In the morning they saw a world washed clean, bright and shining, and +they breathed an autumnal air wonderful in its purity. Feeling safe +now from pursuit, they were no longer eager to flee. A brief council +of three decided that they would hang once more on the French and +Indian flank. It had been their purpose to discover what was intended +by the formidable array they had seen, and it was their purpose yet. + +They did not go back on their path, but they turned eastward into a +land of little and beautiful lakes, through which one of the great +Indian trails from the northwest passed, and made a hidden camp +near the shore of a sheet of water about a mile square, set in the +mountains like a gem. They had method in locating here, as the trail +ran through a gorge less than half a mile to the east of their camp, +and they had an idea that the spy, Garay, might pass that way, two of +them always abiding by the trail, while the third remained in their +secluded camp or hunted game. Willet shot a deer and Tayoga brought +down a rare wild turkey, while Robert caught some wonderful lake +trout. So they had plenty of food, and they were content to wait. + +They were sure that Garay had not yet gone, as the storms that had +threatened them would certainly have delayed his departure, and +neither the hunter nor the Onondaga could discover any traces of +footsteps. Fortunately the air continued to turn warmer and the lower +country in which they now were had all the aspects of Indian summer. +Robert, shaken a little perhaps by the great hardships and dangers +through which he had passed, though he may not have realized at the +time the weight upon his nerves, recovered quickly, and, as usual, +passed, with the rebound, to the heights of optimism. + +"What do you expect to get from Garay?" he asked Willet as he changed +places with him on the trail. + +"I'm not sure," replied the hunter, "but if we catch him we'll find +something. We've got to take our bird first, and then we'll see. He +went north and west with a message, and that being the case he's bound +to take one back. I don't think Garay is a first-class woodsman and we +may be able to seize him." + +Robert was pleased with the idea of the hunted turning into the +hunters, and he and Tayoga now did most of the watching along the +trail, a watch that was not relaxed either by day or by night. On +the sixth night the two youths were together, and Tayoga thought he +discerned a faint light to the north. + +"It may be a low star shining over a hill," said Robert. + +"I think it is the glow from a small camp fire," said the Onondaga. + +"It's a question that's decided easily." + +"You mean we'll stalk it, star or fire, whichever it may be?" + +"That is what we're here for, Tayoga." + +They began an exceedingly cautious advance toward the light, and it +soon became evident that it was a fire, though, as Tayoga had said, a +small one, set in a little valley and almost hidden by the surrounding +foliage. Now they redoubled their caution, using every forest art to +make a silent approach, as they might find a band of warriors around +the blaze, and they did not wish to walk with open eyes into any +such deadly trap. Their delight was great when they saw only one man +crouched over the coals in a sitting posture, his head bent over his +knees; so that, in effect, only his back was visible, but they knew +him at once. It was Garay. + +The heart of young Lennox flamed with anger and triumph. Here was the +fellow who had tried to take his life in Albany, and, if he wished +revenge, the moment was full of opportunity. Yet he could never fire +at a man's back, and it was their cue, moreover, to take him alive. +Garay's rifle was leaning against a log, six or eight feet from him, +and his attitude indicated that he might be asleep. His clothing was +stained and torn, and he bore all the signs of a long journey and +extreme weariness. + +"See what it is to come into the forest and not be master of all its +secrets," whispered Tayoga. "Garay is the messenger of Onontio (the +Governor General of Canada) and Tandakora, and yet he sleeps, when +those who oppose him are abroad." + +"A man has to sleep some time or other," said Robert, "or at least a +white man must. We're not all like an Iroquois; we can't stay awake +forever if need be." + +"If one goes to the land of Tarenyawagon when his enemies are at hand +he must pay the price, Dagaeoga, and now the price that Garay is going +to pay will be a high one. Surely Manitou has delivered him, helpless, +into our hands. Come, we will go closer." + +They crept through the bushes until they could have reached out and +touched the spy with the muzzles of their rifles, and still he did not +stir. Into that heavy and weary brain, plunged into dulled slumbers, +entered no thought of a stalking foe. The fire sank and the bent +back sagged a little lower. Garay had traveled hard and long. He was +anxious to get back to Albany with what he knew, and he felt sure that +the northern forests contained only friends. He had built his fire +without apprehension, and sleep had overtaken him quickly. + +A fox stirred in the thicket beyond the fire and looked suspiciously +at the coals and the still figure beyond them. He did not see the +other two figures in the bushes but his animosity as well as his +suspicion was aroused. He edged a little nearer, and then a slight +sound in the thicket caused him to creep back. But he was an inquiring +fox, and, although he buried himself under a bush, he still looked, +staring with sharp, intent eyes. + +He saw a shadow glide from the thicket, pick up the rifle of Garay +which leaned against the fallen log, and then glide back, soundless. +The curiosity of the fox now prevailed over his suspicion. The shadow +had not menaced him, and his vulpine intelligence told him that he was +not concerned in the drama now about to unfold itself. He was merely a +spectator, and, as he looked, he saw the shadow glide back and crouch +beside the sleeping man. Then a second shadow came and crouched on the +other side. + +What the fox saw was the approach of Robert and Tayoga, whom some +whimsical humor had seized. They intended to make the surprise +complete and Robert, with a memory of the treacherous shot in Albany, +was willing also to fill the soul of the spy with terror. Tayoga +adroitly removed the pistol and knife from the belt of Garay, and +Robert touched him lightly on the shoulder. Still he did not stir, and +then the youth brought his hand down heavily. + +Garay uttered the sigh of one who comes reluctantly from the land of +sleep and who would have gone back through the portals which were only +half opened, but Robert brought his hand down again, good and hard. +Then his eyes flew open and he saw the calm face beside him, and the +calm eyes less than a foot away, staring straight into his own. +It must be an evil dream, he thought at first, but it had all the +semblance of reality, and, when he turned his head in fear, he saw +another face on the other side of him, carved in red bronze, it too +only a foot away and staring at him in stern accusation. + +Then all the faculties of Garay, spy and attempted assassin, leaped +into life, and he uttered a yell of terror, springing to his feet, as +if he had been propelled by a galvanic battery. Strong hands, seizing +him on either side, pulled him down again and the voice of Tayoga, of +the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of +the Hodenosaunee said insinuatingly in his ear: + +"Sit down, Achille Garay! Here are two who wish to talk with you!" + +He fell back heavily and his soul froze within him, as he recognized +the faces. His figure sagged, his eyes puffed out, and he waited in +silent terror. + +"I see that you recognize us, Achille Garay," said Robert, whose +whimsical humor was still upon him. "You'll recall that shot in +Albany. Perhaps you did not expect to meet my friend and me here in +the heart of the northern forests, but here we are. What have you to +say for yourself?" + +Garay strove to speak, but the half formed words died on his lips. + +"We wish explanations about that little affair in Albany," continued +his merciless interlocutor, "and perhaps there is no better time than +the present. Again I repeat, what have you to say? And you have also +been in the French and Indian camp. You bore a message to St. Luc and +Tandakora and beyond a doubt you bear another back to somebody. We +want to know about that too. Oh, we want to know about many things!" + +"I have no message," stammered Garay. + +"Your word is not good. We shall find methods of making you talk. You +have been among the Indians and you ought to know something about +these methods. But first I must lecture you on your lack of woodcraft. +It is exceedingly unwise to build a fire in the wilderness and go +to sleep beside it, unless there is someone with you to watch. I'm +ashamed of you, Monsieur Garay, to have neglected such an elementary +lesson. It made your capture easy, so ridiculously easy that it +lacked piquancy and interest. Tayoga and I were not able to give our +faculties and strength the healthy exercise they need. Come now, are +you ready to walk?" + +"What are you going to do with me?" asked Garay in French, which both +of his captors understood and spoke. + +"We haven't decided upon that," replied Robert maliciously, "but +whatever it is we'll make it varied and lively. It may please you +to know that we've been waiting several days for you, but we scarce +thought you'd go to sleep squarely in the trail, just where we'd be +sure to see you. Stand up now and march like a man, ready to meet any +fate. Fortune has turned against you, but you still have the chance to +show your Spartan courage and endurance." + +"The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a +heroic soul," said Tayoga solemnly. + +Garay shivered. + +"You'll save me from torture?" he said to Robert. + +Young Lennox shook his head. + +"I'd do so if it were left to me," he said, "but my friend, Tayoga, +has a hard heart. In such matters as these he will not let me have my +way. He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation. Also, David +Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for +extreme measures. You'll soon face him. Now, march straight to the +right!" + +Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in +the direction indicated. Close behind him came the avenging two. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +TAMING A SPY + +Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation. It fairly permeated his +system. The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the +greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived +him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum +into their hands. Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned +toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of +mood--that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although +the spy might take a different view of the matter. The triumph, and +the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery +speech. + +"Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend," he said. "You are surprised that +we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with +us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then +proved too swift for Tayoga. That's a little matter we must look into +some time soon. I don't understand why you wished me to leave the +world prematurely. It must surely have been in the interest of someone +else, because I had never heard of you before in my life. But we'll +pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to +the fore. It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the +middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, +and wait for us to come. It reflects little credit, however, on your +skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we're not +going to let you stay out in the forest after dark." + +Garay turned a frightened look upon him. It was mention of the +bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul. But Robert, +ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him. + +"As I told you," he continued, "Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy +with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone. We saw you going +to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your +way back. We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you +in merciless fashion. What he intends to do with you is more than I've +been able to determine. Ah, he comes now!" + +The parting bushes disclosed a tall figure, rifle ready, and Robert +called cheerily: + +"Here we are, Dave, back again, and we bring with us a welcome guest. +Monsieur Achille Garay was lost in the forest, and, taking pity on +him, we've brought him in to share our hospitality. Mr. David Willet, +Monsieur Achille Garay of everywhere." + +Willet smiled grimly and led the way back to the spruce shelter. To +Garay's frightened eyes he bore out fully Robert's description. + +"You lads seem to have taken him without trouble," he said. "You've +done well. Sit down, Garay, on that log; we've business with you." + +Garay obeyed. + +"Now," said the hunter, "what message did you take to St. Luc and the +French and Indian force?" + +The man was silent. Evidently he was gathering together the shreds of +his courage, as his back stiffened. Willet observed him shrewdly. + +"You don't choose to answer," he said. "Well, we'll find a way to make +you later on. But the message you carried was not so important as the +message you're taking back. It's about you, somewhere. Hand over the +dispatch." + +"I've no dispatch," said Garay sullenly. + +"Oh, yes, you have! A man like you wouldn't be making such a long and +dangerous journey into the high mountains and back again for nothing. +Come, Garay, your letter!" + +The spy was silent. + +"Search him, lads!" said Willet. + +Garay recoiled, but when the hunter threatened him with his pistol +he submitted to the dextrous hands of Robert and Tayoga. They went +through all his pockets, and then they made him remove his clothing +piece by piece, while they thrust the points of their knives through +the lining for concealed documents. But the steel touched nothing. +Then they searched his heavy moccasins, and even pulled the soles +loose, but no papers were disclosed. There was nowhere else to look +and the capture had brought no reward. + +"He doesn't seem to have anything," said Robert. + +"He must have! He is bound to have!" said the hunter. + +"You have had your look," said Garay, a note of triumph showing in +his voice, "and you have failed. I bear no message because I am no +messenger. I am a Frenchman, it is true, but I have no part in this +war. I am not a soldier or a scout. You should let me go." + +"But that bullet in Albany." + +"I did not fire it. It was someone else. You have made a mistake." + +"We've made no mistake," said the hunter. "We know what you are. We +know, too, that a dispatch of great importance is about you somewhere. +It is foolish to think otherwise, and we mean to have it." + +"I carry no dispatch," repeated Garay in his sullen, obstinate tones. + +"We mean that you shall give it to us," said the hunter, "and soon you +will be glad to do so." + +Robert glanced at him, but Willet did not reveal his meaning. It was +impossible to tell what course he meant to take, and the two lads were +willing to let the event disclose itself. The same sardonic humor that +had taken possession of Robert seemed to lay hold of the older man +also. + +"Since you're to be our guest for a while, Monsieur Garay," he said, +"we'll give you our finest room. You'll sleep in the spruce shelter, +while we spread our blankets outside. But lest you do harm to +yourself, lest you take into your head some foolish notion to commit +suicide, we'll have to bind you. Tayoga can do it in such a manner +that the thongs will cause you no pain. You'll really admire his +wonderful skill." + +The Onondaga bound Garay securely with strips, cut from the prisoner's +own clothing, and they left him lying within the spruce shelter. At +dawn the next day Willet awoke the captive, who had fallen into a +troubled slumber. + +"Your letter," he said. "We want it." + +"I have no letter," replied Garay stubbornly. + +"We shall ask you for it once every two hours, and the time will come +when you'll be glad to give it to us." + +Then he turned to the lads and said they would have the finest +breakfast in months to celebrate the good progress of their work. + +Robert built up a splendid fire, and, taking their time about it, they +broiled bear meat, strips of the deer they had killed and portions of +wild pigeon and the rare wild turkey. Varied odors, all appetizing, +and the keen, autumnal air gave them an appetite equal to anything. +Yet Willet lingered long, seeing that everything was exactly right +before he gave the word to partake, and then they remained yet +another good while over the feast, getting the utmost relish out of +everything. When they finally rose from their seats on the logs, two +hours had passed since Willet had awakened Garay and he went back to +him. + +"Your letter?" he said. + +"I have no letter," replied Garay, "but I'm very hungry. Let me have +my breakfast." + +"Your letter?" + +"I've told you again and again that I've no letter." + +"It's now about 8:30 o'clock; at half past ten I'll ask you for it +again." + +He went back to the two lads and helped them to put out the fire. +Garay set up a cry for food, and then began to threaten them with the +vengeance of the Indians, but they paid no attention to him. At half +past ten as indicated by the sun, Willet returned to him. + +"The letter?" he said. + +"How many times am I to tell you that I have no letter?" + +"Very well. At half past twelve I shall ask for it again." + +At half past twelve Garay returned the same answer, and then the +three ate their noonday meal, which, like the breakfast, was rich and +luscious. Once more the savory odors of bear, deer, wild turkey and +wild pigeon filled the forest, and Garay, lying in the doorway of the +hut, where he could see, and where the splendid aroma reached his +nostrils, writhed in his bonds, but still held fast to his resolution. + +Robert said nothing, but the sardonic humor of both the Onondaga and +the hunter was well to the fore. Holding a juicy bear steak in +his hand, Tayoga walked over to the helpless spy and examined him +critically. + +"Too fat," he said judicially, "much too fat for those who would roam +the forest. Woodsmen, scouts and runners should be lean. It burdens +them to carry weight. And you, Achille Garay, will be much better off, +if you drop twenty pounds." + +"Twenty pounds, Tayoga!" exclaimed Willet, who had joined him, a whole +roasted pigeon in his hands. "How can you make such an underestimate! +Our rotund Monsieur would be far more graceful and far more healthy +if he dropped forty pounds! And it behooves us, his trainers and +physicians, to see that he drops 'em. Then he will go back to Albany +and to his good friend, Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, a far handsomer man +than he was when he left. It may be that he'll be so much improved +that Mynheer Hendrik will not know him. Truly, Tayoga, this wild +pigeon has a most savory taste! When wild pigeon is well cooked and +the air of the forest has sharpened your appetite to a knife edge +nothing is finer." + +"But it is no better than the tender steak of young bear," said +Tayoga, with all the inflections of a gourmand. "The people of my +nation and of all the Indian nations have always loved bear. It is +tenderer even than venison and it contains more juices. For the hungry +man nothing is superior to the taste or for the building up of sinews +and muscles than the steak of fat young bear." + +Garay writhed again in his bonds, and closed his eyes that he might +shut away the vision of the two. Robert was forced to smile. At half +past two, as he judged it to be by the sun, Willet said to Garay once +more: + +"The papers, Monsieur Achille." + +But Garay, sullen and obstinate, refused to reply. The hunter did not +repeat the question then, but went back to the fire, whistling gayly a +light tune. The three were spending the day in homely toil, polishing +their weapons, cleaning their clothing, and making the numerous little +repairs, necessary after a prolonged and arduous campaign. They were +very cheerful about it, too. Why shouldn't they be? Both Tayoga and +the hunter had scouted in wide circles about the camp, and had seen +that there was no danger. For a vast distance they and their prisoner +were alone in the forest. So, they luxuriated and with abundance of +appetizing food made up for their long period of short commons. + +At half past four Willet repeated his question, but the lips of the +spy remained tightly closed. + +"Remember that I'm not urging you," said the hunter, politely. "I'm a +believer in personal independence and I like people to do what they +want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else. So I +tell you to think it over. We've plenty of time. We can stay here a +week, two weeks, if need be. We'd rather you felt sure you were right +before you made up your mind. Then you wouldn't be remorseful about +any mistake." + +"A wise man meditates long before he speaks," said Tayoga, "and it +follows then that our Achille Garay is very wise. He knows, too, that +his figure is improving already. He has lost at least five pounds." + +"Nearer eight I sum it up, Tayoga," said Willet. "The improvement is +very marked." + +"I think you are right, Great Bear. Eight it is and you also speak +truly about the improvement. If our Monsieur Garay were able to stand +up and walk he would be much more graceful than he was, when he so +kindly marched into our guiding hands." + +"Don't pay him too many compliments, Tayoga. They'll prove trying to +a modest man. Come away, now. Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next +two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon +such a communion?" + +"The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great +Bear. For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts." + +At half past six came the question, "Your papers?" once more, and +Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled. +Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads +prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild +grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes +being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to +the eye as well as to the taste. + +"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have +in me just a trace of the epicure. I find, despite my years in the +wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of +decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands." + +"In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a +banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to +it that the eye also may have its feast. It is not a weakness, but an +excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations." + +They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the +fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation. The +ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter +came frequently to the ears of Garay. At half past eight the question, +grown deadly by repetition, was asked, and, when only a curse came, +Willet said: + +"As it is night I'll ask you, Achille Garay, for your papers only +once every four hours. That is the interval at which we'll change our +guard, and we don't wish, either, to disturb you many times in your +pleasant slumbers. It would not be right to call a man back too often +from the land of Tarenyawagon, who, you may know, is the Iroquois +sender of dreams." + +Garay, whom they had now laid tenderly upon the floor of the hut, +turned his face away, and Willet went back to the fire, humming in a +pleased fashion to himself. At half past twelve he awoke Garay from +his uneasy sleep and propounded to him his dreadful query, grown +terrifying by its continual iteration. At half past four Tayoga asked +it, and it was not necessary then to awake Garay. He had not slept +since half past twelve. He snarled at the Iroquois, and then sank back +on the blanket that they had kindly placed for him. Tayoga, his bronze +face expressing nothing, went back to his watch by the fire. + +Breakfast was cooked by Robert and Willet, and again it was luscious +and varied. Robert had risen early and he caught several of the fine +lake trout that he broiled delicately over the coals. He had +also gathered grapes fresh with the morning dew, and wonderfully +appetizing, and some of the best of the nuts were left over. Bear, +deer, venison and turkey they still had in abundance. + +The morning itself was the finest they had encountered so far. Much +snow had fallen in the high mountains, but winter had not touched the +earth here. The deep colors of the leaves, moved by the light wind, +shifted and changed like a prism. The glorious haze of Indian summer +hung over everything like a veil of finest gauze. The air was +surcharged with vitality and life. It was pleasant merely to sit and +breathe at such a time. + +"I've always claimed," said Robert, as he passed a beautifully broiled +trout to Tayoga and another to the hunter, "that I can cook fish +better than either of you. Dave, I freely admit, can surpass me in the +matter of venison and Tayoga is a finer hand with bear than I am, but +I'm a specialist with fish, be it salmon, or trout, or salmon trout, +or perch or pickerel or what not." + +"Your boast is justified, in very truth, Robert," said Willet. "I've +known none other who can prepare a fish with as much tenderness and +perfection as you. I suppose 'tis born in you, but you have a way of +preserving the juices and savors which defies description and which is +beyond praise. 'Tis worth going hungry a long while to put one's tooth +into so delicate a morsel as this salmon trout, and 'tis a great pity, +too, that our guest, Monsieur Achille Garay, will not join us, when +we've an abundance so great and a variety so rich." + +The wretched spy and intermediary could hear every word they said, and +Robert fell silent, but the hunter and the Onondaga talked freely and +with abounding zest. + +"'Tis a painful thing," said Willet, "to offer hospitality and to +have it refused. Monsieur Garay knows that he would be welcome at our +board, and yet he will not come. I fear, Robert, that you have cooked +too many of these superlative fish, and that they must even go to +waste, which is a sin. They would make an admirable beginning for our +guest's breakfast, if he would but consent to join us." + +"It is told by the wise old sachems of the great League," said Tayoga, +"that warriors have gone many days without food, when plenty of it +was ready for their taking, merely to test their strength of body and +will. Their sufferings were acute and terrible. Their flesh wasted +away, their muscles became limp and weak, their sight failed, pain +stabbed them with a thousand needles, but they would not yield and +touch sustenance before the time appointed." + +"I've heard of many such cases, Tayoga, and I've seen some, but it was +always warriors who were doing the fasting. I doubt whether white men +could stand it so long, and 'tis quite sure they would suffer more. +About the third day 'twould be as bad as being tied to the stake in the +middle of the flames." + +"Great Bear speaks the truth, as he always does. No white man can +stand it. If he tried it his sufferings would be beyond anything of +which he might dream." + +A groan burst suddenly from the wretched Garay. The hunter and the +Onondaga looked at each other and their eyes expressed astonishment. + +"Did you hear a sound in the thicket?" asked Willet. + +"I think it came from the boughs overhead," said Tayoga. + +"I could have sworn 'twas the growl of a bear." + +"To me it sounded like the croak of a crow." + +"After all, we may have heard nothing. Imagination plays strange +tricks with us." + +"It is true, Great Bear. We hear queer sounds when there are no sounds +at all. The air is full of spirits, and now and then they have sport +with us." + +A second groan burst from Garay, now more wretched than ever. + +"I heard it again!" exclaimed the hunter. "'Tis surely the growl of +a bear in the bush! The sound was like that of an angry wild animal! +But, we'll let it go. The sun tells meet's half past eight o'clock and +I go to ask our guest the usual question." + +"Enough!" exclaimed Garay. "I yield! I cannot bear this any longer!" + +"Your papers, please!" + +"Unbind me and give me food!" + +"Your papers first, our fish next." + +As he spoke the hunter leaned over, and with his keen hunting knife +severed Garay's bonds. The man sat up, rubbed his wrists and ankles +and breathed deeply. + +"Your papers!" repeated Willet. + +"Bring me my pistol, the one that the Indian filched from me while I +slept," said Garay. + +"Your pistol!" exclaimed the hunter, in surprise. "Now I'd certainly +be foolish to hand you a deadly and loaded weapon!" + +But Robert's quick intellect comprehended at once. He snatched the +heavy pistol from the Onondaga's belt, drew forth the bullet and then +drew the charge behind it, not powder at all, but a small, tightly +folded paper of tough tissue, which he held aloft triumphantly. + +"Very clever! very clever!" said Willet in admiration. "The pistol was +loaded, but 'twould never be fired, and nobody would have thought of +searching its barrel. Tayoga, give Monsieur Garay the two spare fish +and anything else he wants, but see that he eats sparingly because a +gorge will go ill with a famished man, and then we'll have a look at +his precious document." + +The Onondaga treated Garay as the honored guest they had been calling +him, giving him the whole variety of their breakfast, but, at guarded +intervals, which allowed him to relish to the full all the savors and +juices that had been taunting him so long. Willet opened the letter, +smoothed it out carefully on his knee, and holding it up to the light +until the words stood out clearly, read: + +"To Hendrik Martinus At Albany. + +"The intermediary of whom you know, the bearer of this letter, has +brought me word from you that the English Colonial troops, after the +unfortunate battle at Lake George, have not pushed their victory. He +also informs us that the governors of the English colonies do not +agree, and that there is much ill feeling among the different Colonial +forces. He says that Johnson still suffering from his wound, does not +move, and that the spirit has gone out of our enemies. All of which is +welcome news to us at this juncture, since it has given to us the time +that we need. + +"Our defeat but incites us to greater efforts. The Indian tribes who +have cast their lot with us are loyal to our arms. All the forces of +France and New France are being assembled to crush our foes. We have +lost Dieskau, but a great soldier, Louis Joseph de Saint Véran, the +Marquis de Montcalm-Gozon, is coming from France to lead our armies. +He will be assisted by the incomparable chieftains, the Chevalier de +Levis, the Chevalier Bourlamaque and others who understand the warfare +of the wilderness. Even now we are preparing to move with a great +power on Albany and we may surprise the town. + +"Tell those of whom you know in Albany and New York to be ready with +rifles and ammunition and other presents for the Indian warriors. Much +depends upon their skill and promptness in delivering these valuable +goods to the tribes. It seals them to our standard. They can be landed +at the places of which we know, and then be carried swiftly across the +wilderness. But I bid you once more to exercise exceeding caution. Let +no name of those associated with us ever be entrusted to writing, as a +single slip might bring our whole fabric crashing to the ground, and +send to death those who serve us. After you have perused this letter +destroy it. Do not tear it in pieces and throw them away but burn it +to the last and least little fragment. In conclusion I say yet again, +caution, caution, caution. + +Raymond Louis de St. Luc." + +The three looked at one another. Garay was in the third course of his +breakfast, and no longer took notice of anything else. + +"Those associated with us in Albany and New York," quoted Willet. "Now +I wonder who they are. I might make a shrewd guess at one, but no +names are given and as we have no proof we must keep silent about him +for the present. Yet this paper is of vast importance and it must be +put in hands that know how to value it." + +"Then the hands must be those of Colonel William Johnson," said +Robert. + +"I fancy you're right, lad. Yet 'tis hard just now to decide upon the +wisest policy." + +"The colonel is the real leader of our forces," persisted the lad. +"It's to him that we must go." + +"It looks so, Robert, but for a few days we've got to consider +ourselves. Now that we have his letter I wish we didn't have Garay." + +"You wouldn't really have starved him, would you, Dave? Somehow it +seemed pretty hard." + +The hunter laughed heartily. + +"Bless your heart, lad," he replied. "Don't you be troubled about the +way we dealt with Garay. I knew all the while that he would never get +to the starving point, or I wouldn't have tried it with him. I knew by +looking at him that his isn't the fiber of which martyrs are made. I +calculated that he would give up last night or this morning." + +"Are we going to take him back with us a prisoner?" + +"That's the trouble. As a spy, which he undoubtedly is, his life is +forfeit, but we are not executioners. For scouts and messengers such +as we are he'd be a tremendous burden to take along with us. Moreover, +I think that after his long fast he'd eat all the game we could kill, +and we don't propose to spend our whole time feeding one of our +enemies." + +"Call Tayoga," said Robert. + +The Onondaga came and then young Lennox said to his two comrades: + +"Are you willing to trust me in the matter of Garay, our prisoner?" + +"Yes," they replied together. + +Robert went to the man, who was still immersed in his gross feeding, +and tapped him on the shoulder. + +"Listen, Garay," he said. "You're the bearer of secret and treacherous +dispatches, and you're a spy. You must know that under all the rules +of war your life is forfeit to your captors." + +Garay's face became gray and ghastly. + +"You--you wouldn't murder me?" he said. + +"There could be no such thing as murder in your case, and we won't +take your life, either." + +The face of the intermediary recovered its lost color. + +"You will spare me, then?" he exclaimed joyfully. + +"In a way, yes, but we're not going to carry you back in luxury to +Albany, nor are we thinking of making you an honored member of our +band. You've quite a time before you." + +"I don't understand you." + +"You will soon. You're going back to the Chevalier de St. Luc who has +little patience with failure, and you'll find that the road to him +abounds in hard traveling. It may be, too, that the savage Tandakora +will ask you some difficult questions, but if so, Monsieur Achille +Garay, it will be your task to answer them, and I take it that you +have a fertile mind. In any event, you will be equipped to meet him by +your journey, which will be full of variety and effort and which will +strengthen and harden your mind." + +The face of Garay paled again, and he gazed at Robert in a sort of +dazed fashion. The imagination of young Lennox was alive and leaping. +He had found what seemed to him a happy solution of a knotty problem, +and, as usual in such cases, his speech became fluent and golden. + +"Oh, you'll enjoy it, Monsieur Achille Garay," he said in his mellow, +persuasive voice. "The forest is beautiful at this time of the year +and the mountains are so magnificent always that they must appeal to +anyone who has in his soul the strain of poetry that I know you have. +The snow, too, I think has gone from the higher peaks and ridges and +you will not be troubled by extreme cold. If you should wander from +the path back to St. Luc you will have abundant leisure in which to +find it again, because for quite a while to come time will be of no +importance to you. And as you'll go unarmed, you'll be in no danger of +shooting your friends by mistake." + +"You're not going to turn me into the wilderness to starve?" + +"Not at all. We'll give you plenty of food. Tayoga and I will see you +well on your way. Now, since you've eaten enough, you start at once." + +Tayoga and the hunter fell in readily with Robert's plan. The captive +received enough food to last four days, which he carried in a pack +fastened on his back, and then Robert and Tayoga accompanied him +northward and back on the trail. + +Much of Garay's courage returned as they marched steadily on through +the forest. When he summed it up he found that he had fared well. His +captors had really been soft-hearted. It was not usual for one serving +as an intermediary and spy like himself to escape, when taken, with +his life and even with freedom. Life! How precious it was! Young +Lennox had said that the forest was beautiful, and it was! It was +splendid, grand, glorious to one who had just come out of the jaws of +death, and the air of late autumn was instinct with vitality. He drew +himself up jauntily, and his step became strong and springy. + +They walked on many miles and Robert, whose speech had been so fluent +before, was silent now. Nor did the Onondaga speak either. Garay +himself hazarded a few words, but meeting with no response his spirits +fell a little. The trail led over a low ridge, and at its crest his +two guards stopped. + +"Here we bid you farewell, Monsieur Achille Garay," said Robert. +"Doubtless you will wish to commune with your own thoughts and our +presence will no longer disturb you. Our parting advice to you is to +give up the trade in which you have been engaged. It is full perilous, +and it may be cut short at any time by sudden death. Moreover, it is +somewhat bare of honor, and even if it should be crowned by continued +success 'tis success of a kind that's of little value. Farewell." + +"Farewell," said Garay, and almost before he could realize it, the two +figures had melted into the forest behind him. A weight was lifted +from him with their going, and once more his spirits bounded upward. +He was Achille Garay, bold and venturesome, and although he was +without weapons he did not fear two lads. + +Three miles farther on he turned. He did not care to face St. Luc, his +letter lost, and the curious, dogged obstinacy that lay at the back of +his character prevailed. He would go back. He would reach those for +whom his letter had been intended, Martinus and the others, and he +would win the rich rewards that had been promised to him. He had +plenty of food, he would make a wide curve, advance at high speed and +get to Albany ahead of the foolish three. + +He turned his face southward and walked swiftly through the thickets. +A rifle cracked and a twig overhead severed by a bullet fell upon his +face. Garay shivered and stood still for a long time. Courage trickled +back, and he resumed his advance, though it was slow. A second rifle +cracked, and a bullet passed so close to his cheek that he felt its +wind. He could not restrain a cry of terror, and turning again he fled +northward to St. Luc. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +When Robert and Tayoga returned to the camp and told Willet what they +had done the hunter laughed a little. + +"Garay doesn't want to face St. Luc," he said, "but he will do it +anyhow. He won't dare to come back on the trail in face of bullets, +and now we're sure to deliver his letter in ample time." + +"Should we go direct to Albany?" asked Robert. + +The hunter cupped his chin in his hand and meditated. + +"I'm all for Colonel Johnson," he replied at last. "He understands the +French and Indians and has more vigor than the authorities at Albany. +It seems likely to me that he will still be at the head of Lake George +where we left him, perhaps building the fort of which they were +talking before we left there." + +"His wound did not give promise of getting well so very early," said +Robert, "and he would not move while he was in a weakened condition." + +"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll +turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?" + +"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes +necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it." + +"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead +of Albany." + +They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a +journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake +that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought +that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had +passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him +to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain. + +They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a +wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before +the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band +traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also +found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga +examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest +over a pair uncommonly long and slender. + +"I think they're his," the hunter finally said. + +"So do I," said the Onondaga. + +"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl." + +"It can be only the Owl." + +"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified. + +"The Owl is, in truth, a most dangerous man," replied the hunter. "His +name, which the Indians have given him, indicates he works by night, +though he's no sloth in the day, either. But he has another name, +also, the one by which he was christened. It's Charles Langlade, a +young Frenchman who was a trader before the war. I've seen him more +than once. He's mighty shrewd and alert, uncommon popular among the +western Indians, who consider him as one of them because he married a +good looking young Indian woman at Green Bay, and a great forester and +wilderness fighter. It's wonderful how the French adapt themselves to +the ways of the Indians and how they take wives among them. I suppose +the marriage tie is one of their greatest sources of strength with the +tribes. Now, Tayoga, why do you think the Owl is here so far to the +eastward of his usual range?" + +"He and his warriors are looking for scalps, Great Bear, and it may be +that they have seen St. Luc. They were traveling fast and they are now +between us and Andiatarocte. I like it but little." + +"Not any less than I do. It upsets our plans. We must leave the trail, +or like as not we'll run squarely into a big band. What a pity our +troops didn't press on after the victory at the lake. Instead of +driving the French and Indians out of the whole northern wilderness +we've left it entirely to them." + +They turned from the trail with reluctance, because, strong and +enduring as they were, incessant hardships, long traveling and battle +were beginning to tell upon all three, and they were unwilling to be +climbing again among the high mountains. But there was no choice and +night found them on a lofty ridge in a dense thicket. The hunter and +the Onondaga were disturbed visibly over the advent of Langlade, and +their uneasiness was soon communicated to the sympathetic mind of +Robert. + +The night being very clear, sown with shining stars, they saw rings of +smoke rising toward the east, and outlined sharply against the dusky +blue. + +"That's Langlade sending up signals," said the hunter, anxiously, "and +he wouldn't do it unless he had something to talk about." + +"When one man speaks another man answers," said Tayoga. "Now from what +point will come the reply?" + +Robert felt excitement. These rings of smoke in the blue were full +of significance for them, and the reply to the first signal would be +vital. "Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly. The answer came from the west, +directly behind them. + +"I think they've discovered our trail," said Willet. "They didn't +learn it from Garay, because Langlade passed before we sent him back, +but they might have heard from St. Luc or Tandakora that we were +somewhere in the forest. It's bad. If it weren't for the letter we +could turn sharply to the north and stay in the woods till Christmas, +if need be." + +"We may have to do so, whether we wish it or not," said Tayoga. "The +shortest way is not always the best." + +Before morning they saw other smoke signals in the south, and it +became quite evident then that the passage could not be tried, except +at a risk perhaps too great to take. + +"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust +to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find +Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain." + +At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they +saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last +lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared. It became +quite evident to their trained observation and the powers of inference +from circumstances which had become almost a sixth sense with them +that there was a vigorous pursuit, closing in from three points of the +compass, south, east and west. They slept again the next night in the +forest without fire and arose the following morning cold, stiff and +out of temper. While they eased their muscles and prepared for the +day's flight they resolved upon a desperate expedient. + +It was vital now to carry the letter to Johnson and then to Albany, +which they considered more important than their own escape, and they +could not afford to be driven farther and farther into the recesses of +the north, while St. Luc might be marching with a formidable force on +Albany itself. + +"With us it's unite to fight and divide for flight," said Robert, +divining what was in the mind of the others. + +"The decision is forced upon us," said Willet, regretfully. + +Tayoga nodded. + +"We'll read the letter again several times, until all of us know it by +heart," said the hunter. + +The precious document was produced, and they went over it until each +could repeat it from memory. Then Willet said: + +"I'm the oldest and I'll take the letter and go south past their +bands. One can slip through where three can't." + +He spoke with such decision that the others, although Tayoga wanted +the task of risk and honor, said nothing. + +"And do you, Robert and Tayoga," resumed the hunter, "continue your +flight to the northward. You can keep ahead of these bands, and, when +you discover the chase has stopped, curve back for Lake George. If by +any chance I should fall by the way, though it's not likely, you can +repeat the letter to Colonel Johnson, and let's hope you'll be in +time. Now good-by, and God bless you both." + +Willet never displayed emotion, but his feeling was very deep as he +wrung the outstretched hand of each. Then he turned at an angle to the +east and south and disappeared in the undergrowth. + +"He has been more than a father to me," said Robert. + +"The Great Bear is a man, a man who is pleasing to Areskoui himself," +said Tayoga with emphasis. + +"Do you think he will get safely through?" + +"There is no warrior, not even of the Clan of the Bear, of the Nation +Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who can surpass the +Great Bear in forest skill and cunning. In the night he will creep by +Tandakora himself, with such stealth, that not a leaf will stir, and +there will be not the slightest whisper in the grass. His step, too, +will be so light that his trail will be no more than a bird's in the +air." + +Robert laughed and felt better. + +"You don't stint the praise of a friend, Tayoga," he said, "but I know +that at least three-fourths of what you say is true. Now, I take it +that you and I are to play the hare to Langlade's hounds, and that in +doing so we'll be of great help to Dave." + +"Aye," agreed the Onondaga, and they swung into their gait. Robert had +received Garay's pistol which, being of the same bore as his own, was +now loaded with bullet and powder, instead of bullet and paper, and it +swung at his belt, while Tayoga carried the intermediary's rifle, a +fine piece. It made an extra burden, but they had been unwilling +to throw it away--a rifle was far too valuable on the border to be +abandoned. + +They maintained a good pace until noon, and, as they heard no sound +behind them, less experienced foresters than they might have thought +the pursuit had ceased, but they knew better. It had merely settled +into that tenacious kind which was a characteristic of the Indian +mind, and unless they could hide their trail it would continue in the +same determined manner for days. At noon, they paused a half hour in a +dense grove and ate bear and deer meat, sauced with some fine, black +wild grapes, the vines hanging thick on one of the trees. + +"Think of those splendid banquets we enjoyed when Garay was sitting +looking at us, though not sharing with us," said Robert. + +Tayoga smiled at the memory and said: + +"If he had been able to hold out a little longer he would have had +plenty of food, and we would not have had the letter. The Great Bear +would never have starved him." + +"I know that now, Tayoga, and I learn from it that we're to hold out +too, long after we think we're lost, if we're to be the victors." + +They came in the afternoon to a creek, flowing in their chosen course, +and despite the coldness of its waters, which rose almost to their +knees, they waded a long time in its bed. When they went out on the +bank they took off their leggings and moccasins, wrung or beat out of +them as much of the water as they could, and then let them dry for a +space in the sun, while they rubbed vigorously their ankles and feet +to create warmth. They knew that Langlade's men would follow on either +side of the creek until they picked up the trail again, but their +maneuver would create a long delay, and give them a rest needed badly. + +"Have you anything in mind, Tayoga?" asked Robert. "You know that the +farther north and higher we go the colder it will become, and our +flight may take us again into the very heart of a great snow storm." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but it is also so that I do have a plan. I think +I know the country into which we are coming, and that tells me what to +do. The people of my race, living from the beginning of the world in +the great forest, have not been too proud to learn from the animals, +and of all the animals we know perhaps the wisest is the bear." + +"The bear is scarcely an animal, Tayoga. He is almost a human being. +He has as good a sense of humor as we have, and he is more careful +about minding his own business, and letting alone that of other +people." + +"Dagaeoga is not without wisdom. We will even learn from the bear. +A hundred miles to the north of us there is a vast rocky region +containing many caves, where the bears go in great numbers to sleep +the long winters through. It is not much disturbed, because it is +a dangerous country, lying between the Hodenosaunee and the Indian +nations to the north, with which we have been at war for centuries. +There we will go." + +"And hole up until our peril passes! Your plan appeals to me, Tayoga! +I will imitate the bear! I will even be a bear!" + +"We will take the home of one of them before he comes for it himself, +and we will do him no injustice, because the wise bear can always find +another somewhere else." + +"They're fine caves, of course!" exclaimed Robert, buoyantly, his +imagination, which was such a powerful asset with him, flaming up as +usual. "Dry and clean, with plenty of leaves for beds, and with nice +little natural shelves for food, and a pleasant little brook just +outside the door. It will be pleasant to lie in our own cave, the best +one of course, and hear the snow and sleet storms whistle by, while +we're warm and comfortable. If we only had complete assurance that +Dave was through with the letter I'd be willing to stay there until +spring." + +Tayoga smiled indulgently. + +"Dagaeoga is always dreaming," he said, "but bright dreams hurt +nobody." + +When night came, they were many more miles on their way, but it was +a very cold darkness that fell upon them and they shivered in their +blankets. Robert made no complaint, but he longed for the caves, of +which he was making such splendid pictures. Shortly before morning, a +light snow fell and the dawn was chill and discouraging, so much so +that Tayoga risked a fire for the sake of brightness and warmth. + +"Langlade's men will come upon the coals we leave," he said, "but +since we have not shaken them off it will make no difference. How much +food have we left, Dagaeoga?" + +"Not more than enough for three days." + +"Then it is for us to find more soon. It is another risk that we must +take. I wish I had with me now my bow and arrows which I left at the +lake, instead of Garay's rifle. But Areskoui will provide." + +The day turned much colder, and the streams to which they came were +frozen over. By night, the ice was thick enough to sustain their +weight and they traveled on it for a long time, their thick moosehide +moccasins keeping their feet warm, and saving them from falling. +Before they returned to the land it began to snow again, and Tayoga +rejoiced openly. + +"Now a white blanket will lie over the trail we have left on the ice," +he said, "hiding it from the keenest eyes that ever were in a man's +head." + +Then they crossed a ridge and came upon a lake, by the side of which +they saw through the snow and darkness a large fire burning. Creeping +nearer, they discerned dusky forms before the flames and made out a +band of at least twenty warriors, many of them sound asleep, wrapped +to the eyes in their blankets. + +"Have they passed ahead of us and are they here meaning to guard the +way against us?" whispered Robert. + +"No, it is not one of the bands that has been following us," replied +the Onondaga. "This is a war party going south, and not much stained +as yet by time and travel. They are Montagnais, come from Montreal. +They seek scalps, but not ours, because they do not know of us." + +Robert shuddered. These savages, like as not, would fall at midnight +upon some lone settlement, and his intense imagination depicted the +hideous scenes to follow. + +"Come away," he whispered. "Since they don't know anything about us +we'll keep them in ignorance. I'm longing more than ever for my warm +bear cave." + +They disappeared in the falling snow, which would soon hide their +trail here, as it had hidden it elsewhere, and left the lake behind +them, not stopping until they came to a deep and narrow gorge in the +mountains, so well sheltered by overhanging bushes that no snow fell +there. They raked up great quantities of dry leaves, after the usual +fashion, and spread their blankets upon them, poor enough quarters +save for the hardiest, but made endurable for them by custom and +intense weariness. Both fell asleep almost at once, and both awoke +about the same time far after dawn. + +Robert moved his stiff fingers in his blanket and sat up, feeling cold +and dismal. Tayoga was sitting up also, and the two looked at each +other. + +"In very truth those bear caves never seemed more inviting to me," +said young Lennox, solemnly, "and yet I only see them from afar." + +"Dagaeoga has fallen in love with bear caves," said the Onondaga, in +a whimsical tone. "The time is not so far back when he never talked +about them at all, and now words in their praise fall from his lips in +a stream." + +"It's because I've experienced enlightenment, Tayoga. It is only in +the last two or three days that I've learned the vast superiority of a +cave to any other form of human habitation. Our remote ancestors lived +in them two or three hundred thousand years, and we've been living in +houses of wood or brick or stone only six or seven thousand years, I +suppose, and so the cave, if you judge by the length of time, is our +true home. Hence I'm filled with a just enthusiasm at the thought of +going back speedily to the good old ways and the good old days. It's +possible, Tayoga, that our remote grandfathers knew best." + +"When Dagaeoga comes to his death bed, seventy or eighty years from +now, and the medicine man tells him but little more breath is left in +his body, what then do you think he will do?" + +"What will I do, Tayoga?" + +"You will say to the medicine man, 'Tell me exactly how long I have +to live,' and the medicine man will reply: 'Ten minutes, O Dagaeoga, +venerable chief and great orator.' Then you will say: 'Let all the +people be summoned and let them crowd into the wigwam in which I lie,' +and when they have all come and stand thick about your bed, you will +say, 'Now raise me into a sitting position and put the pillows thick +behind my back and head that I may lean against them.' Then you +will speak to the people. The words will flow from your lips in a +continuous and golden stream. It will be the finest speech of your +life. It will be filled with magnificent words, many of them, eight or +ten syllables long. It will be mellow like the call of a trumpet. It +will be armed with force, and it will be beautiful with imagery; it +will be suffused and charged with color, it will be the very essence +of poetry and power, and as the aged Dagaeoga draws his very last +breath so he will speak his very last word, and thus, in a golden +cloud, his soul will go away into infinite space, to dwell forever +in the bosom of Manitou, with the immortal sachems, Tododaho and +Hayowentha!" + +"Do you know, Tayoga, I think that would be a happy death," said +Robert earnestly. + +The Onondaga laughed heartily. + +"Thus does Dagaeoga show his true nature," he said. "He was born with +the spirit and soul of the orator, and the fact is disclosed often. It +is well. The orator, be he white or red, will lose himself sometimes +in his own words, but he is a gift from the gods, sent to lift up the +souls, and cheer the rest of us. He is the bugle that calls us to the +chase and we must not forget that his value is great." + +"And having said a whole cargo of words yourself Tayoga, now what do +you propose that we do?" + +"Push on with all our strength for the caves. I know now we are on the +right path, because I recall the country through which we are passing. +At noon we will reach a small lake, in which the fish are so numerous +that there is not room for them all at the same time in the water. +They have to take turns in getting the air above the surface on top of +the others. For that reason the fish of this lake are different from +all other fish. They will live a full hour on the bank after they are +caught." + +"Tayoga, in very truth, you've learned our ways well. You've become a +prince of romancers yourself." + +At the appointed time they reached the lake. There were no fish above +its surface, but the Onondaga claimed it was due to the fact that the +lake was covered with ice which of course kept them down, and which +crowded them excessively, and very uncomfortably. They broke two big +holes in the ice, let down the lines which they always carried, the +hooks baited with fragments of meat, and were soon rewarded with +splendid fish, as much as they needed. + +Tayoga with his usual skill lighted a fire, despite the driving snow, +and they had a banquet, taking with them afterward a supply of the +cooked fish, though they knew they could not rely upon fish alone in +the winter days that were coming. But fortune was with them. Before +dark, Robert shot a deer, a great buck, fine and fat. They had so +little fear of pursuit now that they cut up the body, saving the skin +whole for tanning, and hung the pieces in the trees, there to +freeze. Although it would make quite a burden they intended to carry +practically all of it with them. + +Many mountain wolves were drawn that night by the odor of the spoils, +but they lay between twin fires and had no fear of an attack. Yet the +time might come when they would be assailed by fierce wild animals, +and now they were glad that Tayoga had kept Garay's rifle, and also +his ammunition, a good supply of powder and bullets. It was possible +that the question of ammunition might become vital with them, but they +did not yet talk of it. + +On the second day thereafter, bearing their burdens of what had been +the deer, they reached the stony valley Tayoga had in mind, and Robert +saw at once that its formation indicated many caves. + +"Now, I wonder if the bears have come," he said, putting down his pack +and resting. "The cold has been premature and perhaps they're still +roaming through the forest. I shouldn't want to put an interloper out +of my own particular cave, but, if I have to do it, I will." + +"The bears haven't arrived yet," said Tayoga, "and we can choose. I do +not know, but I do not think a bear always occupies the same winter +home, so we will not have to fight over our place." + +It was a really wonderful valley, where the decaying stone had made a +rich assortment of small caves, many of them showing signs of former +occupancy by large wild animals, and, after long searching, they found +one that they could make habitable for themselves. Its entrance was +several feet above the floor of the valley, so that neither storm nor +winter flood could send water into it, and its own floor was fairly +smooth, with a roof eight or ten feet high. It could be easily +defended with their three rifles, the aperture being narrow, and they +expected, with skins and pelts, to make it warm. + +It was but a cold and bleak refuge for all save the hardiest, and +for a little while Robert had to use his last ounce of will to save +himself from discouragement. But vigorous exertion and keen interest +in the future brought back his optimism. The hide of the deer they had +slain was spread at once upon the cave floor and made a serviceable +rug. They spoke hopefully of soon adding to it. + +A brook flowed less than a hundred yards away, and they would have +no trouble about their water supply, while the country about seemed +highly favorable for game. But on their first day there they did not +do any hunting. They rolled several large stones before the door of +their new home, making it secure against any prying wild animals, and +then, after a hearty meal, they wrapped themselves in their blankets +and slept prodigiously. + +Tayoga went into the forest the next day and set traps and snares, +while Robert worked in the valley, breaking up fallen wood to be used +for fires, and doing other chores. The Onondaga in the next three or +four days shot a large panther, a little bear, and caught in the traps +and snares a quantity of small game. The big pelts and the little +pelts, after proper treatment, were spread upon the floor or hung +against the walls of the cave, which now began to assume a much more +inviting aspect, and the flesh of the animals that were eatable, cured +after the primitive but effective processes, was stored there also. + +Providence granted them a period of good weather, days and nights +alike being clear and cold. The game, evidently not molested for a +long time, fairly walked into their traps, and they were compelled to +draw but little upon their precious supply of ammunition. Food for the +future accumulated rapidly, and the floor and walls of the cave were +soon covered entirely with furs. + +Not one of the numerous caves and hollows about them contained an +occupant and Robert wondered if their presence would frighten away the +wild animals, so many of which had hibernated there so often. Yet he +had a belief that the bears would come. His present mode of life and +his isolation from the world gave him a feeling almost of kinship with +them, and in some strange way, and through some medium unknown to him, +they might reciprocate. He and Tayoga had killed several bears, it was +true, but far from the cave, and they made up their minds to molest +nothing in the valley or just about it. + +It was a land of many waters and they caught with ease numerous fish, +drying all the surplus and storing it with the other food in the cave. +They also made soft beds for themselves of the little branches of the +evergreen, over which they spread their blankets, and when they rolled +the stone before the doorway at night they never failed to sleep +soundly. + +They did their cooking in front of the cave door, but it was always +a smothered fire. While they felt safe from wandering bands in that +lofty and remote region, they took no unnecessary risks. The valley +itself, though deep, was much broken up into separate little valleys, +and most of the caves were hidden from their own. It was this fact +that made Robert still think the bears would come, despite coals and +flame. In the evenings they would talk of Willet, and both were firm +in the opinion that the hunter had got through to Lake George and that +Johnson and Albany had been warned in time. Each was confirmed in his +opinion by the other and in a few days it became certainty. + +"I think Tododaho on his star whispered in my ear while I slept that +Great Bear has passed the hostile lines," said Tayoga with conviction, +"because I know it, just as if the Great Bear himself had told it to +me, though I do not know how I know it." + +"It's some sort of mysterious information," said Robert in the same +tone of absolute belief, "and I don't worry any more about Dave and +the letter. The men of the Hodenosaunee seem to have a special gift. +You know the old chief, Hendrik, foretold that he would die on the +shores of Andiatarocte, and it came to pass just as he had said." + +"It was a glorious death, Dagaeoga, and it was, perhaps, he who saved +our army, and made the victory possible." + +"So it was. There's not a doubt of it, but, here, I don't feel much +like taking part in a war. The great struggle seems to have passed +around us for a while, at least. I appear to myself as a man of peace, +occupied wholly with the struggle for existence and with preparations +for a hard winter. I don't want to harm anything." + +"Perhaps it's because nothing we know of wants to harm us. But, +Dagaeoga, if the bears come at all they will come quickly, because in +a few days winter will be roaring down upon us." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must hurry our labors, and since the mysterious +message brought in some manner through the air has told us that Dave +has reached the lake, I'm rather anxious for it to rush down. While it +keeps us here it will also hold back the forces of St. Luc." + +"That's true, Dagaeoga. It's a poor snow that doesn't help somebody. +Now, I will make a bow and arrow to take the place of my great bow and +quiver, which await me elsewhere, because we must draw but little upon +our powder and bullets." + +The Onondaga had hatchet and knife and he worked with great rapidity +and skill, cutting and bending a bow in two or three days, and making +a string of strong sinews, after which he fashioned many arrows and +tipped them with sharp bone. Then he contemplated his handiwork with +pride. + +"Hasty work is never the best of work," he said, "and these are not as +good as those I left behind me, but I know they will serve. The game +here, hunted but little, is not very wary and I can approach near." + +His skill both in construction and use was soon proved, as he slew +with his new weapons a great moose, two ordinary deer, and much +smaller game, while the traps caught beaver, otter, fox, wolf and +other animals, with fine pelts. Many splendid furs were soon drying +in the air and were taken later into the cave, while they accumulated +dried and jerked game enough to last them until the next spring. + +Both worked night and day with such application and intensity that +their hands became stiff and sore, and every bone in them ached. +Nevertheless Robert took time now and then to examine the little caves +in the other sections of the valley, only to find them still empty. +He thought, for a while, that the presence of Tayoga and himself and +their operations with the game might have frightened the bears away, +but the feeling that they would come returned and was strong upon him. +As for Tayoga he never doubted. It had been decreed by Tododaho. + +"The animals have souls," he said. "Often when great warriors die or +fall in battle their souls go into the bodies of bear, or deer, or +wolf, but oftenest into that of bear. For that reason the bear, saving +only the dog which lives with us, is nearest to man, and now and then, +because of the warrior soul in him, he is a man himself, although +he walks on four legs--and he does not always walk on four legs, +sometimes he stands on two. Doubt not, Dagaeoga, that when the stormy +winter sweeps down the bears will come to their ancient homes, whether +or not we be here." + +The winds grew increasingly chill, coming from the vast lakes beyond +the Great Lakes, those that lay in the far Canadian north, and the +skies were invariably leaden in hue and gloomy. But in the cave it +was cozy and warm. Furs and skins were so numerous that there was no +longer room on the floor and walls for them all, many being stored in +glossy heaps in the corners. + +"Some day these will bring a good price from the Dutch traders at +Albany," said Robert, "and it may be, Tayoga, that you and I will need +the money. I've been a scout and warrior for a long time, and now +I've suddenly turned fur hunter. Well, that spirit of peace and of a +friendly feeling toward all mankind grows upon me. Why shouldn't I be +full of brotherly love when your patron saint, Tododaho, has been so +kind to us?" + +He swept the cave once more with a glance of approval. It furnished +shelter, warmth, food in abundance, and with its furs even a certain +velvety richness for the eye, and Tayoga nodded assent. Meanwhile they +waited for the fierce blasts of the mountain winter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +A singular day came when it seemed to Robert that the wind alternately +blew hot and cold, at least by contrast, and the deep, leaden skies +were suffused with a peculiar mist that made him see all objects in +a distorted fashion. Everything was out of proportion. Some were +too large and some too small. Either the world was awry or his own +faculties had become discolored and disjointed. While his interest in +his daily toil decreased and his thoughts were vague and distant, +his curiosity, nevertheless, was keen and concentrated. He knew that +something unusual was going to happen and nature was preparing him for +it. + +The occult quality in the air did not depart with the coming of night, +though the winds no longer alternated, the warm blasts ceasing to +blow, while the cold came steadily and with increasing fierceness. Yet +it was warm and close in the cave, and the two went outside for air, +wandering up the face of the ridge that enclosed the northern side +of their particular valley in the chain of little valleys. Upon the +summit they stood erect, and the face of Tayoga became rapt like +that of a seer. When Robert looked at him his own blood tingled. The +Onondaga shut his eyes, and he spoke not so much to Robert as to the +air itself: + +"O Tododaho," he said, "when mine eyes are open I do not see you +because of the vast clouds that Manitou has heaped between, but when I +close them the inner light makes me behold you sitting upon your star +and looking down with kindness upon this, the humblest and least of +your servants. O Tododaho, you have given my valiant comrade and +myself a safe home in the wilderness in our great need, and I beseech +you that you will always hold your protecting shield between us and +our enemies." + +He paused, his eyes still closed, and stood tense and erect, the north +wind blowing on his face. A shiver ran through Robert, not a shiver of +fear, but a shiver caused by the mysterious and the unknown. His own +eyes were open, and he gazed steadily into the northern heavens. +The occult quality in the air deepened, and now his nerves began to +tingle. His soul thrilled with a coming event. Suddenly the deep, +leaden clouds parted for a few moments, and in the clear space between +he could have sworn that he saw a great dancing star, from which a +mighty, benevolent face looked down upon them. + +"I saw him! I saw him!" he exclaimed in excitement. "It was Tododaho +himself!" + +"I did not see him with my eyes, but I saw him with my soul," said the +Onondaga, opening his eyes, "and he whispered to me that his favor was +with us. We cannot fail in what we wish to do." + +"Look in the next valley, Tayoga. What do you behold now?" + +"It is the bears, Dagaeoga. They come to their long winter sleep." + +Rolling figures, enlarged and fantastic, emerged from the mist. Robert +saw great, red eyes, sharp teeth and claws, and yet he felt neither +fear nor hostility. Tayoga's statement that they were bears, into +which the souls of great warriors had gone, was strong in his mind, +and he believed. They looked up at him, but they did not pause, moving +on to the little caves. + +"They see us," he said. + +"So they do," said Tayoga, "but they do not fear us. The spirits of +mighty warriors look out of their eyes at us, and knowing that they +were once as we are they know also that we will not harm them." + +"Have you ever seen the like of this before, Tayoga?" + +"No! But a few of the old men of the Hodenosaunee have told of their +grandfathers who have seen it. I think it is a mark of favor to us +that we are permitted to behold such a sight. Now I am sure Tododaho +has looked upon us with great approval. Lo, Dagaeoga, more of them +come out of the mist! Before morning every cave, save those in our own +little corner of the valley, will be filled. All of them gaze up at +us, recognize us as friends and pass on. It is a wonderful sight, +Dagaeoga, and we shall never look upon its like again." + +"No," said Robert, as the extraordinary thrill ran through him once +more. "Now they have gone into their caves, and I believe with you, +Tayoga, that the souls of great warriors truly inhabit the bodies of +the bears." + +"And since they are snugly in their homes, ready for the long winter +sleep, lo! the great snow comes, Dagaeoga!" + +A heavy flake fell on Robert's upturned face, and then another and +another. The circling clouds, thick and leaden, were beginning to pour +down their burden, and the two retreated swiftly to their own dry and +well furnished cave. Then they rolled the great stones before the +door, and Tayoga said: + +"Now, we will imitate our friends, the bears, and take a long winter +sleep." + +Both were soon slumbering soundly in their blankets and furs, and all +that night and all the next day the snow fell on the high mountains in +the heart of which they lay. There was no wind, and it came straight +down, making an even depth on ridge, slope and valley. It blotted out +the mouths of the caves, and it clothed all the forest in deep white. +Robert and Tayoga were but two motes, lost in the vast wilderness, +which had returned to its primeval state, and the Indians themselves, +whether hostile or friendly, sought their villages and lodges and were +willing to leave the war trail untrodden until the months of storm and +bitter cold had passed. + +Robert slept heavily. His labors in preparation for the winter had +been severe and unremitting, and his nerves had been keyed very high +by the arrival of the bears and the singular quality in the air. Now, +nature claimed her toll, and he did not awake until nearly noon, +Tayoga having preceded him a half hour. The Onondaga stood at the door +of the cave, looking over the stones that closed its lower half. Fresh +air poured in at the upper half, but Robert saw there only a whitish +veil like a foaming waterfall. + +"The time o' day, Sir Tayoga, Knight of the Great Forest," he said +lightly and cheerfully. + +"There is no sun to tell me," replied the Onondaga. "The face of +Areskoui will be hidden long, but I know that at least half the day is +gone. The flakes make a thick and heavy white veil, through which +I cannot see, and great as are the snows every winter on the high +mountains, this will be the greatest of them all." + +"And we've come into our lair. And a mighty fine lair it is, too. I +seem to adapt myself to such a place, Tayoga. In truth, I feel like +a bear myself. You say that the souls of warriors have gone into the +bears about us, and it may be that the soul of a bear has come into +me." + +"It may be," said Tayoga, gravely. "It is at least a wise thought, +since, for a while, we must live like bears." + +Robert would have chafed, any other time, at a stay that amounted to +imprisonment, but peace and shelter were too welcome now to let him +complain. Moreover, there were many little but important house-hold +duties to do. They made needles of bone, and threads of sinew and +repaired their clothing. Tayoga had stored suitable wood and bone and +he turned out arrow after arrow. He also made another bow, and Robert, +by assiduous practice, acquired sufficient skill to help in these +tasks. They did not drive themselves now, but the hours being filled +with useful and interesting labor, they were content to wait. + +For three or four days, while the snow still fell, they ate cold food, +but when the clouds at last floated away, and the air was free from +the flakes, they went outside and by great effort--the snow being four +or five feet deep--cleared a small space near the entrance, where they +cooked a good dinner from their stores and enjoyed it extravagantly. +Meanwhile the days passed. Robert was impatient at times, but never a +long while. If the mental weariness of waiting came to him he plunged +at once into the tasks of the day. + +There was plenty to do, although they had prepared themselves so well +before the great snowfall came. They made rude shovels of wood and +enlarged the space they had cleared of snow. Here, they fitted stones +together, until they had a sort of rough furnace which, crude though +it was, helped them greatly with their cooking. They also pulled more +brushwood from under the snow, and by its use saved the store they +had heaped up for impossible days. Then, by continued use of the bone +needles and sinews, they managed to make cloaks for themselves of the +bearskins. They were rather shapeless garments, and they had little of +beauty save in the rich fur itself, but they were wonderfully warm and +that was what they wanted most. + +Tayoga, after a while, began slow and painstaking work on a pair of +snowshoes, expecting to devote many days to the task. + +"The snow is so deep we cannot pass through it," he said, "but I, at +least, will pass upon it. I cannot get the best materials, but what I +have will serve. I shall not go far, but I want to explore the country +about us." + +Robert thought it a good plan, and helped as well as he could with the +work. They still stayed outdoors as much as possible, but the cold +became intense, the temperature going almost to forty degrees below +zero, the surface of the snow freezing and the boughs of the big +trees about the valley becoming so brittle that they broke with sharp +crashes beneath the weight of accumulated snow. Then they paused long +enough in the work on the snowshoes to make themselves gloves of +buckskin, which were a wonderful help, as they labored in the fresh +air. Ear muffs and caps of bearskin followed. + +"I feel some reluctance about using bearskin so much," said Robert, +"since the bears about us are inhabited by the souls of great warriors +and are our friends." + +"But the bears that we killed did not belong here," said Tayoga, "and +were bears and nothing more. It was right for us to slay them because +the bear was sent by Manitou to be a support for the Indian with his +flesh and his pelt." + +"But how do you know that the bears we killed were just bears and +bears only?" + +"Because, if they had not been we would not have killed them." + +Thus were the qualms of young Lennox quieted and he used his bearskin +cap, gloves and cloak without further scruple. The snowshoes were +completed and Tayoga announced that he would start early the next +morning. + +"I may be gone three or four days, Dagaeoga," he said, "but I will +surely return. I shall avoid danger, and do you be careful also." + +"Don't fear for me," said Robert. "I'm not likely to go farther than +the brook, since there's no great sport in breaking your way through +snow that comes to your waist, and which, moreover, is covered with a +thick sheet of ice. Don't trouble your mind about me, Tayoga, I won't +roam from home." + +The Onondaga took his weapons, a supply of food, and departed, +skimming over the snow with wonderful, flying strokes, while Robert +settled down to lonely waiting. It was a hard duty, but he again found +solace in work, and at intervals he contemplated the mouths of the +bears' caves, now almost hidden by the snow. Tayoga's belief was +strong upon him, for the time, and he concluded that the warriors +who inhabited the bodies of the bears must be having some long and +wonderful dreams. At least, they had plenty of time to dream in, and +it was an extraordinary provision of nature that gave them such a +tremendous sleep. + +Tayoga returned in four days, and Robert, who had more than enough of +being alone, welcomed him with hospitable words to a fire and a feast. + +"I must first put away my spoils," said the Onondaga, his dark eyes +glittering. + +"Spoils! What spoils, Tayoga?" + +"Powder and lead," he replied, taking a heavy bundle wrapped in +deerskin from beneath his bearskin overcoat. "It weighs a full fifty +pounds, and it made my return journey very wearisome. Catch it, +Dagaeoga!" + +Robert caught, and he saw that it was, in truth, powder and lead. + +"Now, where did you get this?" he exclaimed. "You couldn't have gone +to any settlement!" + +"There is no settlement to go to. I made our enemies furnish the +powder and lead we need so much, and that is surely the cheapest way. +Listen, Dagaeoga. I remembered that to the east of us, about two days' +journey, was a long valley sheltered well and warm, in which Indians +who fight the Hodenosaunee often camp. I thought it likely they would +be there in such a winter as this, and that I might take from them in +the night the powder and lead we need so much. + +"I was right. The savages were there, and with them a white man, a +Frenchman, that Charles Langlade, called the Owl, from whom we fled. +They had an abundance of all things, and they were waxing fat, until +they could take the war path in the spring. Then, Dagaeoga, I played +the fox. At night, when they dreamed of no danger, I entered their +biggest lodges, passing as one of them, and came away with the powder +and lead." + +"It was a great feat, Tayoga, but are you sure none of them will trail +you here?" + +"The surface of the snow and ice melts a little in the noonday sun, +enough to efface all trace of the snowshoes, and my trail is no more +than that made by a bird in its flight through the air. Nor can we be +followed here while we are guarded by the bears, who sleep, but who, +nevertheless, are sentinels." + +Tayoga took off his snowshoes, and sank upon a heap of furs in the +cave, while Robert brought him food and inspected the great prize of +ammunition he had brought. The package contained a dozen huge horns +filled with powder, and many small bars of lead, the latter having +made the weight which had proved such a severe trial to the Onondaga. + +"Here's enough of both lead and powder to last us throughout the +winter, whatever may happen," said Robert in a tone of intense +satisfaction. "Tayoga, you're certainly a master freebooter. You +couldn't have made a more useful capture." + +Each, after the invariable custom of hunters and scouts, carried +bullet molds, and they were soon at work, melting the lead and casting +bullets for their rifles, then pouring the shining pellets in a stream +into their pouches. They continued at the task from day to day until +all the lead was turned into bullets and then they began work on +another pair of snowshoes, these intended for Robert. + +Despite the safety and comfort of their home in the rock, both began +to chafe now, and time grew tremendously long. They had done nearly +everything they could do for themselves, and life had become so easy +that there was leisure to think and be restless, because they were far +away from great affairs. + +"When my snowshoes are finished and I perfect myself in the use of +them," said Robert, "I favor an attempt to escape on the ice and snow +to the south. We grow rusty, you and I, here, Tayoga. The war may be +decided in our absence and I want to see Dave, too. I want to hear him +tell how he got through the savage cordon to the lake." + +"Have no fear about the war, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "It will +not be ended this winter nor the next. Before there is peace between +the French king and the British king you will have a chance to make +many speeches. Yet, like you, I think we should go. It is not well for +us to lie hidden in the ground through a whole winter." + +"But when we leave our good home here I shall leave many regrets +behind." + +He looked around at the cave and its supplies of skins and furs, its +stores of wood and food. Fortune had helped their own skill and they +had made a marvelous change in the place. Its bleakness and bareness +had disappeared. In the cold and bitter wilderness it offered more +than comfort, it was luxury itself. + +"So shall I," said Tayoga, appreciatively, "but we will heap rocks up +to the very top of the door, so that only a little air and nothing +else can enter, and leave it as it is. Some day we may want to use it +again." + +Having decided to go, they became very impatient, but they did not +skimp the work on the snowshoes, knowing how much depended on their +strength, but that task too, like all the others, came to an end in +time. Robert practiced a while and they selected a day of departure. +They were to take with them all the powder and bullets, a large supply +of food and their heavy bearskin overcoats. They had also made for +themselves over-moccasins of fur and extra deerskin leggings. They +would be bundled up greatly, but it was absolutely necessary in order +to face the great cold, that hovered continuously around thirty to +forty degrees below zero. The ear muffs, the caps and the gloves, too, +were necessities, but they had the comfort of believing that if the +fierce winter presented great difficulties to them, it would also keep +their savage enemies in their lodges. + +"The line that shut us in in the autumn has thinned out and gone!" +exclaimed Robert in sanguine tones, "and we'll have a clear path from +here to the lake!" + +Then they rolled stones, as they had planned, before the door to their +home, closing it wholly except a few square inches at the top, and +ascended on their snowshoes to the crest of the ridge. + +"Our cave will not be disturbed, at least not this winter," said +Tayoga confidently. "The bears that sleep below are, as I told you, +the silent sentinels, and they will guard it for us until we come +again." + +"At least, they brought us good luck," said Robert. Then, with long, +gliding strokes they passed over the ridge, and their happy valley was +lost to sight. They did not speak again for hours, Tayoga leading the +way, and each bending somewhat to his task, which was by no means +a light one, owing to the weight they carried, and the extremely +mountainous nature of the country. The wilderness was still and +intensely cold. The deep snow was covered by a crust of ice, and, +despite vigorous exertion and warm clothing, they were none too warm. + +By noon Robert's ankle, not thoroughly hardened to the snowshoes, +began to chafe, and they stopped to rest in a dense grove, where the +searching north wind was turned aside from them. They were traveling +by the sun for the south end of Lake George, but as they were in the +vast plexus of mountains, where their speed could not be great, even +under the best of conditions, they calculated that they would be many +days and nights on the way. + +They stayed fully an hour in the shelter of the trees, and an hour +later came to a frozen lake over which the traveling was easy, but +after they had passed it they entered a land of close thickets, in +which their progress was extremely slow. At night, the cold was very +great, but, as they scooped out a deep hollow in the snow, though they +attempted no fire, they were able to keep warm within their bearskins. +A second and a third day passed in like fashion, and their progress to +the south was unimpeded, though slow. They beheld no signs of human +life save their own, but invariably in the night, and often in the +day, they heard distant wolves howling. + +On the fourth day the temperature rose rapidly and the surface of +the snow softened, making their southward march much harder. Their +snowshoes clogged so much and the strain upon their ankles grew so +great that they decided to go into camp long before sunset, and give +themselves a thorough rest. They also scraped away the snow and +lighted a fire for the first time, no small task, as the snow was +still very deep, and it required much hunting to find the fallen +wood. But when the cheerful blaze came they felt repaid for all their +trouble. They rejoiced in the glow for an hour or so, and then Tayoga +decided that he would go on a short hunting trip along the course of a +stream that they could see about a quarter of a mile below. + +"It may be that I can rouse up a deer," he said. "They are likely to +be in the shelter of the thick bushes along the water's edge, but +whether I find them or not I will return shortly after sundown. Do you +await me here, Dagaeoga." + +"I won't stir. I'm too tired," said Robert. + +The Onondaga put on his snowshoes again, and strapped to his back his +share of the ammunition and supplies--it had been agreed by the two +that neither should ever go anywhere without his half, lest they +become separated. Then he departed on smooth, easy strokes, almost +like one who skated, and was soon out of sight among the bushes at the +edge of the stream. Robert settled back to the warmth and brightness +of the fire, and awaited in peace the sound of a shot telling that +Tayoga had found the deer. + +He had been so weary, and the blaze was so soothing that he sank into +a state, not sleep, but nevertheless full of dreams. He saw Willet +again, and heard him tell the tale how he had reached the lake and +the army with Garay's letter. He saw Colonel Johnson, and the young +English officer, Grosvenor, and Colden and Wilton and Carson and all +his old friends, and then he heard a crunch on the snow near him. Had +Tayoga come back so soon and without his deer? He did not raise his +drooping eyelids until he heard the crunch again, and then when he +opened them he sprang suddenly to his feet, his heart beating fast +with alarm. + +A half dozen dark figures rushed upon him. He snatched at his rifle +and tried to meet the first of them with a bullet, but the range was +too close. He nevertheless managed to get the muzzle in the air and +pull the trigger. He remembered even in that terrible moment to do +that much and Tayoga would hear the sharp, lashing report. Then the +horde was upon him. Someone struck him a stunning blow on the side of +the head with the flat of a tomahawk, and he fell unconscious. + +When he returned to the world, the twilight had come, the hole in the +snow had been enlarged very much, and so had the fire. Seated around +it were a dozen Indians, wrapped in thick blankets and armed heavily, +and one white man whose attire was a strange compound of savage and +civilized. He wore a three-cornered French military hat with a great, +drooping plume of green, an immense cloak of fine green cloth, lined +with fur, but beneath it he was clothed in buckskin. + +The man himself was as picturesque as his attire. He was young, his +face was lean and bold, his nose hooked and fierce like that of a +Roman leader, his skin, originally fair, now tanned almost to a +mahogany color by exposure, his figure of medium height, but obviously +very powerful. Robert saw at once that he was a Frenchman and he felt +instinctively that it was Langlade. But his head was aching from the +blow of the tomahawk, and he waited in a sort of apathy. + +"So you've come back to earth," said the Frenchman, who had seen his +eyes open--he spoke in good French, which Robert understood perfectly. + +"I never had any intention of staying away," replied young Lennox. + +The Frenchman laughed. + +"At least you show a proper spirit," he said. "I commend you also for +managing to fire your rifle, although the bullet hit none of us. It +gave the alarm to your comrade and he got clean away. I can make a +guess as to who you are." + +"My name is Robert Lennox." + +"I thought so, and your comrade was Tayoga, the Onondaga who is not +unknown to us, a great young warrior, I admit freely. I am sorry we +did not take him." + +"I don't think you'll get a chance to lay hands on him. He'll be too +clever for you." + +"I admit that, too. He's gone like the wind on his snowshoes. It seems +queer that you and he should be here in the mountain wilderness so far +north of your lines, in the very height of a fierce winter." + +"It's just as queer that you should be here." + +"Perhaps so, from your point of view, though it's lucky that I should +have been present with these dark warriors of mine when you were +taken. They suffered heavily in the battle by Andiatarocte, and but +for me they might now be using you as fuel. Don't wince, you know +their ways and I only tell a fact. In truth, I can't make you any +promise in regard to your ultimate fate, but, at present, I need you +alive more than I need you dead." + +"You won't get any military information out of me." + +"I don't know. We shall wait and see." + +"Do you know the Chevalier de St. Luc?" + +"Of course. All Frenchmen and all Canadians know him, or know of him, +but he is far from here, and we shall not tell him that we have a +young American prisoner. The chevalier is a great soldier and the +bravest of men, but he has one fault. He does not hate the English and +the Bostonnais enough." + +Robert was not bound, but his arms and snowshoes had been taken and +the Indians were all about him. There was no earthly chance of escape. +With the wisdom of the wise he resigned himself at once to his +situation, awaiting a better moment. + +"I'm at your command," he said politely to Langlade. + +The French leader laughed, partly in appreciation. + +"You show intelligence," he said. "You do not resist, when you see +that resistance is impossible." + +Robert settled himself into a more comfortable position by the fire. +His head still ached, but it was growing easier. He knew that it was +best to assume a careless and indifferent tone. + +"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later." + +Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt +more wood. They obeyed. Robert saw that they never questioned his +leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established +themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence. The others threw +away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, +and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which +all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs. + +Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he +was not hungry. He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel +enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the +present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind. +His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with +them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with +the reward, were content to wait. + +The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the +entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north. +The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was +turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity. He +had been certain at first of escape, but it did not seem so sure now. +In former wars many prisoners taken on raids into Canada had never +been heard of again, and when he reflected in cold blood he knew that +the odds were heavy against a successful flight. Yet there was Tayoga. +His warning shot had enabled the Onondaga to evade the band, and his +comrade would never desert him. All his surpassing skill and tenacity +would be devoted to his aid. In that lay his hope. + +They pressed on toward the north as fast as they could go, and when +night came they were all exhausted, but they ate heavily again and +Robert received his share. Langlade continued to treat him kindly, +though he still had the feeling that the partisan, if it served him, +would be fully as cruel as the Indians. At night, although they built +big fires, Langlade invariably posted a strong watch, and Robert +noticed also that he usually shared it, or a part of it, from which +habit he surmised that the partisan had received the name of the Owl. +He had hoped that Tayoga might have a chance to rescue him in the +dark, but he saw now that the vigilance was too great. + +He hid his intense disappointment and kept as cheerful a face as he +could. Langlade, the only white man in the Indian band, was drawn +to him somewhat by the mere fact of racial kinship, and the two +frequently talked together in the evenings in what was a sort of +compulsory friendliness, Robert in this manner picking up scraps of +information which when welded together amounted to considerable, being +thus confirmed in his belief that Willet with the letter had reached +the lake in time. St. Luc with a formidable force had undertaken a +swift march on Albany, but the town had been put in a position of +defense, and St. Luc's vanguard had been forced to retreat by a +large body of rangers after a severe conflict. As the success of the +chevalier's daring enterprise had depended wholly on surprise, he had +then withdrawn northward. + +But Robert could not find out by any kind of questions where St. Luc +was, although he learned that Garay had never returned to Albany and +that Hendrik Martinus had made an opportune flight. Langlade, who was +thoroughly a wilderness rover, talked freely and quite boastfully +of the French power, which he deemed all pervading and invincible. +Despite the battle at Lake George the fortunes of war had gone so far +in favor of France and Canada and against Britain and the Bostonnais. +When the great campaign was renewed in the spring more and bigger +victories would crown French valor. The Owl grew expansive as he +talked to the youth, his prisoner. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is coming to lead all our armies," he said, +"and he is a far abler soldier than Dieskau. You really did us a great +service when you captured the Saxon. Only a Frenchman is fit to +lead Frenchmen, and under a mighty captain we will crush you. The +Bostonnais are not the equal of the French in the forest. Save a few +like Willet, and Rogers, the English and Americans do not learn the +ways of woods warfare, nor do you make friends with the Indians as we +do." + +"That is true in the main," responded Robert, "but we shall win +despite it. Both the English and the English Colonials have the power +to survive defeat. Can the French and the Canadians do as well?" + +Langlade could not be shaken in his faith. He saw nothing but the most +brilliant victories, and not only did he boast of French power, but he +gloried even more in the strength of the Indian hordes, that had come +and that were coming in ever increasing numbers to the help of France. +Only the Hodenosaunee stood aloof from Québec, and he believed the +Great League even yet would be brought over to his side. + +Robert argued with the Owl, but he made no impression upon him. +Meanwhile they continued to march north by west. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +BEFORE MONTCALM + +The Owl, with his warriors and captive, descended in time into the low +country in the northwest. They, too, had been on snowshoes, but now they +discarded them, since they were entering a region in which little snow had +fallen, the severity of the weather abating greatly. Robert was still +treated well, though guarded with the utmost care. The Indians, who seemed +to be from some tribe about the Great Lakes, did not speak any dialect he +knew, and, if they understood English, they did not use it. He was +compelled to do all his talking with the Owl who, however, was not at all +taciturn. Robert saw early that while a wonderful woodsman and a born +partisan leader, he was also a Gascon, vain, boastful and full of words. He +tried to learn from him something about his possible fate, but he could +obtain no hint, until they had been traveling more than three weeks, and +Langlade had been mellowed by an uncommonly good supper of tender game, +which the Indians had cooked for him. + +"You've been trying to draw that information out of me ever since you were +captured," he said. "You were indirect and clever about it, but I noticed +it. I, Charles Langlade, have perceptions, you must understand. If I do +live in the woods I can read the minds of white men." + +"I know you can," said Robert, smilingly. "I observed from the first that +you had an acute intellect." + +"Your judgment does you credit, my young friend. I did not tell you what I +was going to do with you, because I did not know myself. I know more about +you than you think I do. One of my warriors was with Tandakora in several +of his battles with you and Willet, that mighty hunter whom the Indians +call the Great Bear, and Tayoga, the Onondaga, who is probably following on +our trail in the hope of rescuing you. I have also heard of you from +others. Oh, as I tell you, I, Charles Langlade, take note of all things. +You are a prisoner of importance. I would not give you to Tandakora, +because he would burn you, and a man does not burn valuable goods. I would +not send you to St. Luc, because, being a generous man, he might take some +foolish notion to exchange you, or even parole you. I would not give you to +the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec, because then I might lose my pawn in the +game, and, in any event, the Marquis Duquesne is retiring as Governor +General of New France." + +"Is that true? I have met him. He seemed to me to be a great man." + +"Perhaps he is, but he was too haughty and proud for the powerful men who +dwelt at Quebec, and who control New France. I have heard something of your +appearance at the capital with the Great Bear and the Onondaga, and of what +chanced at Bigot's ball, and elsewhere. Ah, you see, as I told you, I, +Charles Langlade, know all things! But to return, the Marquis Duquesne +gives way to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Oh, that was accomplished some time +ago, and perhaps you know of it. So, I do not wish to give you to the +Marquis de Vaudreuil. I might wait and present you to the Marquis de +Montcalm when he comes, but that does not please me, either, and thus I +have about decided to present you to the Dove." + +"The Dove! Who is the Dove?" + +Langlade laughed with intense enjoyment. + +"The Dove," he replied, "is a woman, none other than Madame de Langlade +herself, a Huron. You English do not marry Indian women often--and yet +Colonel William Johnson has taken a Mohawk to wife--but we French know them +and value them. Do not think to have an easy and careless jailer when you +are put in the hands of the Dove. She will guard you even more zealously +than I, Charles Langlade, and you will notice that I have neither given you +any opportunity to escape nor your friend, Tayoga, the slightest chance to +rescue you." + +"It is true, Monsieur Langlade. I've abandoned any such hope on the march, +although I may elude you later." + +"The Dove, as I told you, will attend to that. But it will be a pretty play +of wits, and I don't mind the test. I'm aware that you have intelligence +and skill, but the Dove, though a woman, possesses the wit of a great +chief, and I'll match her against you." + +There was a further abatement of the weather, and they reached a region +where there was no snow at all. Warm winds blew from the direction of the +Great Lakes and the band traveled fast through a land in which the game +almost walked up to their rifles to be killed, such plenty causing the +Indians, as usual, now that they were not on the war path, to feast +prodigiously before huge fires, Langlade often joining them, and showing +that he was an adept in Indian customs. + +One evening, just as they were about to light the fire, the warrior who had +been posted as sentinel at the edge of the forest gave a signal and a few +moments later a tall, spare figure in a black robe with a belt about the +waist appeared. Robert's heart gave a great leap. The wearer of the black +robe was an elderly man with a thin face, ascetic and high. The captive +recognized him at once. It was Father Philibert Drouillard, the priest, +whose life had already crossed his more than once, and it was not strange +to see him there, as the French priests roamed far through the great +wilderness of North America, seeking to save the souls of the savages. + +Langlade, when he beheld Father Drouillard, sprang at once to his feet, and +Robert also arose quickly. The priest saw young Lennox, but he did not +speak to him just yet, accepting the food that the Owl offered him, and +sitting down with his weary feet to the fire that had now been lighted. + +"You have traveled far, Father?" said Langlade, solicitously. + +"From the shores of Lake Huron. I have converts there, and I must see that +they do not grow weak in the faith." + +"All men, red and white, respect Philibert Drouillard. Why are you alone, +Father?" + +"A runner from the Christian village came with me until yesterday. Then I +sent him back, because I would not keep him too long from his people. I can +go the rest of the way alone, as it will be but a few days before I meet a +French force." + +Then he turned to Robert for the first time. + +"And you, my son," he said, "I am sorry it has fared thus with you." + +"It has not gone badly, Father," said Robert. "Monsieur de Langlade has +treated me well. I have naught to complain of save that I'm a prisoner." + +"It is a good lad, Charles Langlade," said the priest to the partisan, "and +I am glad he has suffered no harm at your hands. What do you purpose to do +with him?" + +"It is my present plan to take him to the village in which Madame Langlade, +otherwise the Dove, abides. He will be her prisoner until a further plan +develops, and you know how well she watches." + +A faint smile passed over the thin face of the priest. + +"It is true, Charles Langlade," he said. "That which escapes the eyes of +the Dove is very small, but I would take the lad with me to Montreal." + +"Nay, Father, that cannot be. I am second to nobody in respect for Holy +Church, and for you, Father Drouillard, whose good deeds are known to all, +and whose bad deeds are none, but those who fight the war must use their +judgment in fighting it, and the prisoners are theirs." + +Father Drouillard sighed. + +"It is so, Charles Langlade," he said, "but, as I have said, the prisoner +is a good youth. I have met him before, as I told you, and I would save +him. You know not what may happen in the Indian village, if you chance to +be away." + +"The Dove will have charge of him. She can be trusted." + +"And yet I would take him with me to Montreal. He will give his parole that +he will not attempt to escape on the way. It is the custom for prisoners to +be ransomed. I will send to you from Montreal five golden louis for him." + +Langlade shook his head. + +"Ten golden louis," said Father Drouillard. + +"Nay, Father, it is no use," said the partisan. "I cannot be tempted to +exchange him for money." + +"Fifteen golden louis, Charles Langlade, though I may have to borrow from +the funds of the Church to send them to you." + +"I respect your motive, Father, but 'tis impossible. This is a prisoner of +great value and I must use him as a pawn in the game of war. He was taken +fairly and I cannot give him up." + +Again Father Drouillard sighed, and this time heavily. + +"I would save you from captivity, Mr. Lennox," he said, "but, as you see, I +cannot." + +Robert was much moved. + +"I thank you, Father Drouillard, for your kind intentions," he said. "It +may be that some day I shall have a chance to repay them. Meanwhile, I do +not dread the coming hospitality of Madame Langlade." + +The priest shook his head sadly. + +"It is a great and terrible war," he said, "though I cannot doubt that +France will prevail, but I fear for you, my son, a captive in the vast +wilderness. Although you are an enemy and a heretic I have only good +feeling for you, and I know that the great Chevalier, St. Luc, also regards +you with favor." + +"Know you anything of St. Luc?" asked Robert eagerly. + +"Only that the expedition he was to lead against Albany has turned back and +that he has gone to Canada to fight under the banner of Montcalm, when he +comes with the great leaders, De Levis, Bourlamaque and the others." + +"I thought I might meet him." + +"Not here, with Charles Langlade." + +The priest spent the night with them and in the morning, after giving them +his blessing, captors and captive alike, he departed on his long and +solitary journey to Montreal. + +"A good man," said Robert, as he watched his tall, thin figure disappear in +the surrounding forest. + +"Truly spoken," said the Owl. "I am little of a churchman myself, the +forest and the war trail please me better, but the priests are a great prop +to France in the New World. They carry with them the authority of His +Majesty, King Louis." + +A week later they reached a small Indian village on Lake Ontario where the +Owl at present made his abode, and in the largest lodge of which his +patient spouse, the Dove, was awaiting him. She was young, much taller than +the average Indian woman, and, in her barbaric fashion, quite handsome. But +her face was one of the keenest and most alert Robert had ever seen. All +the trained observation of countless ancestors seemed stored in her and now +he understood why Langlade had boasted so often and so warmly of her skill +as a guard. She regarded him with a cold eye as she listened attentively to +her husband's instructions, and, for the remainder of that winter and +afterward, she obeyed them with a thoroughness beyond criticism. + +The village included perhaps four hundred souls, of whom about a hundred +were warriors. Langlade was king and Madame Langlade, otherwise the Dove, +was queen, the two ruling with absolute sovereignty, their authority due to +their superior intelligence and will and to the service they rendered to +the little state, because a state it was, organized completely in all its +parts, although composed of only a few hundred human beings. In the bitter +weather that came again, Langlade directed the hunting in the adjacent +forest and the fishing conducted on the great lake. He also made presents +from time to time of gorgeous beads or of huge red or yellow blankets that +had been sent from Montreal. Robert could not keep from admiring his +diplomacy and tact, and now he understood more thoroughly than ever how the +French partisans made themselves such favorites with the wild Indians. + +His own position in the village was tentative. Langlade still seemed +uncertain what to do with him, and held him meanwhile for a possible reward +of great value. He was never allowed to leave the cluster of tepees for the +forest, except with the warriors, but he took part in the fishing on the +lake, being a willing worker there, because idleness grew terribly irksome, +and, when he had nothing to do, he chafed over his long captivity. He slept +in a small tepee built against that of Monsieur and Madame Langlade, and +from which there was no egress save through theirs. + +He was enclosed only within walls of skin, and he believed that he might +have broken a way through them, but he felt that the eyes of the Dove were +always on him. He even had the impression that she was watching him while +he slept, and sometimes he dreamed that she was fanged and clawed like a +tigress. + +Langlade went away once, being gone a long time, and while he was absent +the Dove redoubled her watchfulness. Robert's singular impression that her +eyes were always on him was strengthened, and these eyes were increased to +the hundred of Argus and more. It became so oppressive that he was always +eager to go out with the warriors in their canoes for the fishing. On Lake +Ontario he was sure the eyes of the Dove could not reach him, but the work +was arduous and often perilous. The great lake was not to be treated +lightly. Often it took toll of the Indians who lived around its shores. +Winter storms came up suddenly, the waves rolled like those of the sea, +freezing spray dashed over them, and it required a supreme exertion of +both skill and strength to keep the light canoes from being swamped. + +Yet Robert was always happier on water than on land. On shore, confined +closely and guarded zealously, his imaginative temperament suffered and he +became moody and depressed, but on the lakes, although still a captive, he +felt the winds of freedom. When the storms came and the icy blasts swept +down upon them he responded, body and soul. Relief and freedom were to be +found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore +refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh. He also had a feeling that +Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little +Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but +he never saw any. + +The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they +belonged, was the most terrible burden of all. If the Indians had news they +told him none. He seemed to have vanished completely. But, however numerous +may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that +yields. The flexible steel always rebounded. He took thorough care of his +health and strength. In his close little tepee he flexed and tensed his +muscles and went through physical exercises every night and morning, but it +was on the lake in the fishing, where the Indians grew to recognize his +help, that he achieved most. Fighting the winds, the water and the cold, he +felt his muscles harden and his chest enlarge, and he would say to himself +that when the spring came and he escaped he would be more fit for the life +of a free forest runner than he had ever been before. Langlade, when he +returned, took notice of his increased size and strength and did not +withhold approval. + +"I like any prisoner of mine to flourish," he laughed. "The more superior +you become the greater will be the reward for me when I dispose of you. You +have found the Dove all I promised you she should be, haven't you, Monsieur +Lennox?" + +"All and more," replied Robert. "Although she may be out of sight I feel +that her eyes are always on me, and this is true of the night as well as +the day." + +"A great woman, the Dove, and a wife to whom I give all credit. If it +should come into the king's mind to call me to Versailles and bestow upon +me some kind of an accolade perhaps Madame Langlade would not feel at home +in the great palace nor at the Grand Trianon, nor even at the Little +Trianon, and maybe I wouldn't either. But since no such idea will enter His +Majesty's mind, and I have no desire to leave the great forests, the Dove +is a perfect wife for me. She is the true wilderness helpmate, accomplished +in all the arts of the life I live and love, and with the eye and soul of a +warrior. I repeat, young Monsieur Lennox, where could I find a wife more +really sublime?" + +"Nowhere, Monsieur Langlade. The more I see you two together the more +nearly I think you are perfectly matched." + +The Owl seemed pleased with the recognition of his marital felicity, and +grew gracious, dropping some crumbs of information for Robert. He had been +to Montreal and the arrival of the great soldier, the Marquis de Montcalm, +with fresh generals and fresh troops from France, was expected daily at +Quebec. The English, although their fleets were larger, could not intercept +them, and it was now a certainty that the spring campaign would sweep over +Albany and almost to New York. He spoke with so much confidence, in truth +with such an absolute certainty, that Robert's heart sank and then came +back again with a quick rebound. + +After a winter that had seemed to the young captive an age, spring came +with a glorious blossoming and blooming. The wilderness burst into green +and the great lake shining in the sun became peaceful and friendly. Warm +winds blew out of the west and the blood flowed more swiftly in human +veins. But spring passed and summer came. Then Langlade announced that he +would depart with the best of the warriors, and that Robert would go with +him, although he refused absolutely to say where or for what purpose. + +Robert's joy was dimmed in nowise by his ignorance of his destination. He +had not found the remotest chance to escape while in the village, but it +might come on the march, and there was also a relief and pleasant +excitement in entering the wilderness again. He joyously made ready, the +Dove gave her lord and equal, not her master, a Spartan farewell, and the +formidable band, Robert in the center, plunged into the forest. + +When the great mass of green enclosed them he felt a mighty surge of hope. +His imaginative temperament was on fire. A chance for him would surely +come. Tayoga might be hidden in the thickets. Action brought renewed +courage. Langlade, who was watching him, smiled. + +"I read your mind, young Monsieur Lennox," he said. "Have I not told you +that I, Charles Langlade, have the perceptions? Do I not see and interpret +everything?" + +"Then what do you see and interpret now?" + +"A great hope in your heart that you will soon bid us farewell. You think +that when we are deep in the forest it will not be difficult to elude our +watch. And yet you could not escape when we were going through this same +forest to the village. Now why do you think it will be easier when you are +going through it again, but away?" + +"The Dove is not at the end of the march. Her eyes will no longer be upon +me." + +The Owl laughed deeply and heartily. + +"You're a lad of sense," he said, "when you lay such a tribute at the feet +of that incomparable woman, that model wife, that true helpmate in every +sense of the word. Why should you be anxious to leave us? I could have you +adopted into the tribe, and you know the ceremony of adoption is sacred +with the Indians. And let me whisper another little fact in your ear which +will surely move you. The Dove has a younger sister, so much like her that +they are twins in character if not in years. She will soon be of +marriageable age, and she shall be reserved for you. Think! Then you will +be my brother-in-law and the brother-in-law of the incomparable Dove." + +"No! No!" exclaimed Robert hastily. + +Now the laughter of the Owl was uncontrollable. His face writhed and his +sides shook. + +"A lad does not recognize his own good!" he exclaimed, "or is it +bashfulness? Nay, don't be afraid, young Monsieur Lennox! Perhaps I could +get the Dove to intercede for you!" + +Robert was forced to smile. + +"I thank you," he said, "but I am far from the marriageable age myself." + +"Then the Dove and I are not to have you for a brother-in-law?" said +Langlade. "You show little appreciation, young Monsieur Lennox, when it is +so easy for you to become a member of such an interesting family." + +Robert was confirmed in his belief that there was much of the wild man in +the Owl, who in many respects had become more Indian than the Indians. He +was a splendid trailer, a great hunter, and the hardships of the forest +were nothing to him. He read every sign of the wilderness and yet he +retained all that was French also, lightness of manner, gayety, quick wit +and a politeness that never failed. It is likely that the courage and +tenacity of the French leaders were never shown to better advantage than in +the long fight they made for dominion in North America. Despite the fact +that he was an enemy, and his belief that Langlade could be ruthless, on +occasion, Robert was compelled to like him. + +The journey, the destination yet unknown to him, was long, but it was not +tedious to the young prisoner. He watched the summer progress and the +colors deepen and he was cheered continually by the hope of escape, a fact +that Langlade recognized and upon which he commented in a detached manner, +from time to time. Now and then the leader himself went ahead with a scout +or two and one morning he said to Robert: + +"I saw something in the forest last night." + +"The forest contains much," said Robert. + +"But this was of especial interest to you. It was the trace of a footstep, +and I am convinced it was made by your friend Tayoga, the Onondaga. +Doubtless he is seeking to effect your escape." + +Robert's heart gave a leap, and there was a new light in his eyes, of which +the shrewd Owl took notice. + +"I have heard of the surpassing skill of the Onondaga," he continued, "but +I, Charles Langlade, have skill of my own. It will be some time before we +arrive at the place to which we are going, and I lay you a wager that +Tayoga does not rescue you." + +"I have no money, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, "and if I had I could +not accept a wager upon such a subject." + +"Then we'll let it be mental, wholly. My skill is matched against the +combined knowledge of Tayoga and yourself. He'll never be able, no matter +how dark the night, to get near our camp and communicate with you." + +Although Robert hoped and listened often in the dusk for the sound of a +signal from Tayoga, Langlade made good his boast. The two were able to +establish no communication. It was soon proved that he was in the forest +near them, one of the warriors even catching a sufficient glimpse of his +form for a shot, which, however, went wild. The Onondaga did not reply, +and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the +knowledge that he was near. He had a faithful and powerful friend who would +help him some day, be it soon or late. + +The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was +done. + +"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the +Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself. I, Charles +Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so." + +"What, Montcalm near?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest. + +"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see +a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army." + +"The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness?" + +"That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods. I have some +curiosity on the subject myself." + +An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert +saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place. The tents +stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, +while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts. A large white marquee +near the center he was sure was that of the commander-in-chief, and he was +eager to see at once the famous Montcalm, of whom he was hearing so much. +But to his intense disappointment, Langlade went into camp with the +Indians. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is a great man," he said, "the commander-in-chief +of all the forces of His Majesty, King Louis, in North America, and even I, +Charles Langlade, will not approach him without ceremony. We will rest in +the edge of the forest, and when he hears that I have come he will send for +me, because he will want to know many things which none other can tell him. +And it may be, young Monsieur Lennox, that, in time, he will wish to see +you also." + +So Robert waited with as much patience as he could muster, although he +slept but little that night, the noises in the great French camp and his +own curiosity keeping him awake. What was Montcalm doing so far from the +chief seats of the French power in Canada, and did the English and +Americans know that he was here? + +Curiously enough he had little apprehension for himself, it was rather a +feeling of joy that he had returned to the world of great affairs. Soon he +would know what had been occurring during the long winter when he was +buried in an Indian village, and he might even hear of Willet. Toward dawn +he slept a little, and after daylight he was awakened by Langlade who was +as assured and talkative as usual. + +"It may be, my gallant young prisoner," he said, ruffling and strutting, +"that I am about to lose you, but if it is so it will be for value +received. I, Charles Langlade, have seen the great Marquis de Montcalm, but +it was an equal speaking to an equal. It was last night in his grand +marquee, where he sat surrounded by his trusted lieutenants, De Levis, St. +Luc, Bourlamaque, Coulon de Villiers and the others. But I was not daunted +at all. I repeat that it was an equal speaking to an equal, and the Marquis +was pleased to commend me for the work I have already done for France." + +"And St. Luc was there?" + +"He was. The finest figure of them all. A brave and generous man and a +great leader. He stood at the right hand of the Marquis de Montcalm, while +I talked and he listened with attention, because the Chevalier de St. Luc +is always willing to learn from others. No false pride about him! And the +Marquis de Montcalm is like him. I gave the commander-in-chief much +excellent advice which he accepted with gratitude, and in return for you, +whom he expects to put to use, he has raised me in rank, and has extended +my authority over the western tribes. Ah, I knew that you were a prize when +I captured you, and I was wise to save you as a pawn." + +"How can I be of any value to the Marquis de Montcalm?" + +"That is to be seen. He knows his own plans best. You are to come with me +at once into his presence." + +Robert was immediately in a great stir. He straightened out, and, with his +hands, brushed his own clothing, smoothed his hair, intending, with his +usual desire for neatness, to make the best possible appearance before the +French leader. + +After breakfast Langlade took him to the great marquee in which Montcalm +sat, as the morning was cool, and when their names had been taken in a +young officer announced that they might enter, the officer, to Robert's +great surprise, being none other than De Galissonnière, who showed equal +amazement at meeting him there. The Frenchman gave him a hearty grasp of +the hand in English fashion, but they did not have time to say anything. + +Robert, walking by the side of Langlade, entered the great tent with some +trepidation, and beheld a swarthy man of middle years, in the uniform of a +general of France, giving orders to two officers who stood respectfully at +attention. Neither of the officers was St. Luc, nor were they among those +whom Robert had seen at Quebec. He surmised, however, that they were De +Levis and Bourlamaque, and he learned soon that he was right. Langlade +paused until Montcalm was ready to speak to him, and Robert stood in +silence at his side. Montcalm finished what he had to say and turned his +eyes upon the young prisoner. His countenance was mild, but Robert felt +that his gaze was searching. + +"And this, Captain Langlade," he said, "is the youth of whom you were +speaking?" + +So the Owl had been made a captain, and the promotion had been one of his +rewards. Robert was not sorry. + +"It is the one, sir," replied Langlade, "young Monsieur Robert Lennox. He +has been a prisoner in my village all the winter, and he has as friends +some of the most powerful people in the British Colonies." + +Montcalm continued to gaze at Robert as if he would read his soul. + +"Sit down, Mr. Lennox," he said, not unkindly, motioning him to a little +stool. Robert took the indicated seat and so quick is youth to warm to +courtesy that he felt respect and even liking for the Marquis, official and +able enemy though he knew him to be. De Levis and Bourlamaque also were +watching him with alert gaze, but they said nothing. + +"I hear," continued Montcalm, with a slight smile, "that you have not +suffered in Captain Langlade's village, and that you have adapted yourself +well to wild life." + +"I've had much experience with the wilderness," said Robert. "Most of my +years have been passed there, and it was easy for me to live as Captain +Langlade lived. I've no complaint to make of his treatment, though I will +say that he has guarded me well." + +Montcalm laughed. + +"It agrees with Captain Langlade's own account," he said. "I suppose that +one must be born, or at least pass his youth in it, to get the way of this +vast wilderness. We of old Europe, where everything has been ruled and +measured for many centuries, can have no conception of it until we see it, +and even then we do not understand it. Although with an army about me I +feel lost in so much forest. But enough of that. It is of yourself and not +of myself that I wish to speak. I have heard good reports of you from one +of my own officers, who, though he has been opposed to you many times, +nevertheless likes you." + +"The Chevalier de St. Luc!" + +"Aye, the Chevalier de St. Luc. I know, also, that you have been in the +councils of some of the Colonial leaders. You are a friend of Sir William +Johnson." + +"Colonel William Johnson?" + +"No, Sir William Johnson. In reward for the affair at Lake George, in which +our Dieskau was unfortunate, he has been made a baronet by the British +king." + +"I am glad." + +"And doubtless Sir William is also. You know him well, I understand, and he +was still at the lake when you left on the journey that led to your +capture." + +Robert was silent. + +"I have not asked you to answer," continued Montcalm, "but I assume that it +is so. His army, although it was victorious in the battle there, did not +advance. There was much disagreement among the governors of the British +Colonies. The provinces could not be induced to act together?" + +Robert was still silent. + +"Again I say I am not asking you to answer, but your silence confirms the +truth of our reports." + +Robert flushed, and a warm reply trembled on his lips, but he restrained +the words. A swift smile passed over the dark face of Montcalm. + +"You see, Mr. Lennox," he continued, "I am not asking you to say anything, +but there was great disappointment among the British Colonials because +there was no advance after the battle at the lake. It has also cooled the +enthusiasm of the Iroquois, many of whom have gone home and who perhaps +will take no further part in the war as the allies of the English." + +Again Robert flushed and again he bit back the hot reply. He looked +uneasily at De Levis and Bourlamaque, but their faces expressed nothing. +Then Montcalm suddenly changed the subject. + +"I am going to make you a very remarkable offer," he said, "and do not +think for a moment it is going to imply any change of colors on your part, +or the least suspicion of treason, which I could not ask of the gentleman +you obviously are. I request of you your parole, your word of honor that +you will not take any further part in this war." + +"I can't do it! As I have often told Captain Langlade, I intend to escape." + +"That is impossible. If you could not do so when you were in Captain +Langlade's village, you have no chance at all now that you are surrounded +by an army. But since you will not give me your parole it will become +necessary to keep you as a prisoner of war, and to send you to a safe +place." + +"Many of our people in this and former wars with the French have been held +prisoners in the Province of Quebec. I know somewhat of the city of Quebec, +and it is not wholly an unpleasant place." + +"I did not have Quebec, either the province or the city, in mind so far as +concerns you, Mr. Lennox. Three of our ships are to return shortly to +France, and, not wishing to give us your parole, you are to go to France." + +"To France?" + +"Yes, to France. Where else? And you should rejoice. It is a fair and +glorious land. And I have heard there is a spirit in you, Mr. Lennox, which +is almost French, a kindred touch, a Gallic salt and savor, so to speak." + +"I'm wholly American and British." + +"Perhaps there are others who know you better than you know yourself. I +repeat, there is about you a French finish. Why should you deny it? You +should be proud of it. We are the oldest of the great civilized nations, +and the first in culture. Your stay in France should be very pleasant. You +can drink there at the fountain of ancient culture and glory. The +wilderness is magnificent in its way, but high civilization is magnificent +also in its own and another way. You can see Paris, the city of light, the +center of the world, and you can behold the splendid court of His Majesty, +King Louis. That should appeal to a young man of taste and discernment." + +Robert felt a thrill and his pulses leaped, but the thrill lasted only a +moment. It was clearly impossible that he should go even as a prisoner, +though a willing one, to France, and he did not see any reason why the +Marquis de Montcalm should take any personal interest in his future. But +responding invariably to the temperature about him his manner was now as +polite as that of the French general. + +"You have my thanks, sir," he said, "for the kindly way in which you offer +to treat a prisoner, but it is impossible for me to go to France, unless +you should choose to send me there by sheer force." + +The slight smile passed again over the face of the Marquis de Montcalm. + +"I fancied, young sir," he said, "that this would be your answer, and, +being what it is, I cannot say that it has lowered you aught in my esteem. +For the present, you abide with us." + +Robert bowed. Montcalm inspired in him a certain liking, and a decided +respect. Then, still under the escort of Langlade, he withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +Robert returned with Langlade to the partisan's camp at the edge of the +forest adjoining that of the main French army, where the Indian warriors +had lighted fires and were cooking steaks of the deer. He was disposed to +be silent, but Langlade as usual chattered volubly, discoursing of French +might and glory, but saying nothing that would indicate to his prisoner the +meaning of the present military array in the forest. + +Robert did not hear more than half of the Owl's words, because he was +absorbed in those of Montcalm, which still lingered in his mind. Why should +the Marquis wish to send him to France, and to have him treated, when he +was there, more as a guest than as a prisoner? Think as he would he could +find no answer to the question, but the Owl evidently had been impressed by +his reception from Montcalm, as he treated him now with distinguished +courtesy. He also seemed particularly anxious to have the good opinion of +the lad who had been so long his prisoner. + +"Have I been harsh to you?" he asked with a trace of anxiety in his tone. +"Have I not always borne myself toward you as if you were an important +prisoner of war? It is true I set the Dove as an invincible sentinel over +you, but as a good soldier and loyal son of France I could do no less. Now, +I ask you, Monsieur Robert Lennox, have not I, Charles Langlade, conducted +myself as a fair and considerate enemy?" + +"If I were to escape and be captured again, Captain Langlade, it is my +sincere wish that you should be my captor the second time, even as you were +the first." + +The Owl was gratified, visibly and much, and then he announced a visitor. +Robert sprang to his feet as he saw St. Luc approaching, and his heart +throbbed as always when he was in the presence of this man. The chevalier +was in a splendid uniform of white and silver unstained by the forest. His +thick, fair hair was clubbed in a queue and powdered neatly, and a small +sword, gold hilted, hung at his belt. He was the finest and most gallant +figure that Robert had yet seen in the wilderness, the very spirit and +essence of that brave and romantic France with which England and her +colonies were fighting a duel to the death. And yet St. Luc always seemed +to him too the soul of knightly chivalry, one to whom it was impossible for +him to bear any hostility that was not merely official. His own hand went +forward to meet the extended hand of the chevalier. + +"We seem destined to meet many times, Mr. Lennox," said St. Luc, "in +battle, and even under more pleasant conditions. I had heard that you were +the prisoner of our great forest ranger, Captain Langlade, and that you +would be received by our commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm." + +"He made me a most extraordinary offer, that I go as a prisoner of war to +Paris, but almost in the state of a guest." + +"And you thought fit to decline, which was unwise in you, though to be +expected of a lad of spirit. Sit down, Mr. Lennox, and we can have our +little talk in ease and comfort. It may be that I have something to do with +the proposition of the Marquis de Montcalm. Why not reconsider it and go to +France? England is bound to lose the war in America. We have the energy and +the knowledge. The Indian tribes are on our side. Even the powerful +Hodenosaunee may come over to us in time, and at the worst it will become +neutral. As a prisoner in France you will have no share in defeat, but +perhaps that does not appeal to you." + +"It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many +kindnesses to me, although I don't understand them. Your solicitude for my +welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a +source of wonderment in my mind." + +"Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to +harm." + +Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, +and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of +all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked +him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back +presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even +Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal +most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than +once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the +city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there +as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became +enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took +on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed +a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment. + +"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your +will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would +listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good." + +"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak +lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should +go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy +to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am +in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I +meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you." + +The chevalier laughed. + +"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and +patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But +'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say +our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain +Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in +readiness to depart tomorrow morning." + +Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but, +before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would +go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they +were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, +that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of +defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made +another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly. +Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of +his general's plans. Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for +battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into +the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze. The young prisoner's back +was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating +like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the +eyes of Tandakora. + +The huge Ojibway was more huge than ever. Robert was convinced that he was +the largest man he had ever seen, not only the tallest, but the broadest, +and the heaviest, and his very lack of clothing--he wore only a belt, +breech cloth, leggings and moccasins--seemed to increase his size. His vast +shoulders, chest and arms were covered with paint, and the scars of old +wounds, the whole giving to him the appearance of some primeval giant, +sinister and monstrous. He carried a fine, new rifle of French make and two +double barreled pistols; a tomahawk and knife swung from his belt. + +Robert, nevertheless, met that full gaze firmly. He shut from his mind what +he might have had to suffer from Tandakora had the Ojibway held him a +captive in the forest, but here he was not Tandakora's prisoner, and he was +in the midst of the French army. Centering all his will and soul into the +effort he stared straight into the evil eyes of the Indian, until those of +his antagonist were turned away. + +"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade. + +"Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter +came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario." + +"It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we +call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to +Onontio at Quebec. The nations of the Hodenosaunee call him Dagaeoga, and +he is a danger to us. I would buy him from you. I will send to you for him +fifty of the finest buffalo robes taken from the great western plains." + +"Not for fifty buffalo robes, Tandakora, no matter how fine they are." + +"Ten packs of the finest beaver skins, fifty in each pack." + +"It's no use to bid for him, Tandakora. I don't sell captives. Moreover, he +has passed out of my hands. I have had my reward for him. His fate rests +now with the Chevalier de St. Luc and the Marquis de Montcalm." + +The Ojibway's face showed foiled malice. "It is a snake that the Owl warms +in his bosom," he said, and strode away. The partisan followed him with +observant eyes. + +"It is evident that the Ojibway chief bears you no love, young Monsieur +Lennox," he said. "Now that you have served the purposes for which I held +you I wish you no harm, and so I bid you beware of Tandakora." + +"Your advice is good and well meant, and for it I thank you," said Robert; +"but I've known Tandakora a long time. My friends and I have met him in +several encounters and we've not had the worst of them." + +"I judged so by his manner. All the more reason then why you should beware +of him. I repeat the warning." + +Robert was not bound, and he was permitted to roll himself in a blanket and +sleep with his feet to the fire, an Indian on either side of him. Save +where a space had been cleared for the French army, the primeval forest, +heavy in the foliage of early spring, was all about them, and the wind that +sang through the leaves united with the murmuring of a creek, beside which +Langlade had pitched his camp. + +Slumber was slow in coming to Robert. Too much had occurred for his +faculties to slip away at once into oblivion. His interview with Montcalm, +his meeting with St. Luc, and the appearance of Tandakora at the camp +fire, stirred him mightily. Events were certainly marching, and, while he +tried to coax slumber to come, he listened to the noises of the camp and +the forest. Where the French tents were spread, men were softly singing +songs of their ancient land, and beyond them sentinels in neat uniforms +were walking back and forth among trees that had never beheld uniforms +before. + +The sounds sank gradually, but Robert did not yet sleep. He found a +peculiar sort of interest in detaching these murmurs from one another, the +stamp of impatient horses, the moving of arms, the last dying, notes of a +song, the whisper of the creek's waters, and then, plainly separate from +the others, he heard a faint, unmistakable swish, a noise that he knew, +that of an arrow flying through the air. Langlade knew it too, and sprang +up with an angry cry. + +"Now, has some warrior got hold of whiskey to indulge in this madness?" he +exclaimed. + +The faint swish came a second time, and Robert, who had risen to his feet, +saw two arrows standing upright in the earth not twenty feet away. Langlade +saw them also and swore. + +"They must have come in a wide curve overhead," he said, "or they would not +be standing almost straight up in the earth, and that does not seem like +the madness of liquor." + +He looked suspiciously at the forest, in which Indian sentinels had been +posted, but which, nevertheless, was so dark that a cunning form might +pass there unseen. + +"There is more in this than meets the eye," muttered the partisan, and +drawing the arrows from the earth he examined them by the light of the +fire. Robert stood by, silent, but his eyes fell on fresh marks with a +knife, near the barb on each weapon, and the great pulse in his throat +leaped. The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had +cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a +bear. + +The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive +comprehended it at once. It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan +of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the +Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear. +It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him. Had ever a man +a more faithful comrade? The Onondaga was still following in the hope of +making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living. Once +more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith. + +"Now what do these marks mean?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows +suspiciously. + +"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied +Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing." + +"I'm not so sure of that. I've lived long enough among the Indians to know +they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted +so close together it must be some sort of a signal. It may have been +intended for you." + +Robert was silent, and the partisan did not ask him any further questions, +but, being much disturbed, sent into the forest scouts, who returned +presently, unable to find anything. + +"It may or it may not have been a message," he said, speaking to Robert, in +his usual garrulous fashion, "but I still incline to the opinion that it +was, though I may never know what the message meant, but I, Charles +Langlade, have not been called the Owl for nothing. If it refers to you +then your chance of escape has not increased. I hold you merely for +tonight, but I hold you tight and fast. Tomorrow my responsibility ceases, +and you march in the middle of Montcalm's army." + +Robert made no reply, but he was in wonderful spirits, and his elation +endured. His senses, in truth, were so soothed by the visible evidence that +his comrade was near that he fell asleep very soon and had no dreams. The +French and Indian army began its march early the next morning, and Robert +found himself with about a dozen other prisoners, settlers who had been +swept up in its advance. They had been surprised in their cabins, or their +fields, newly cleared, and could tell him nothing, but he noticed that the +march was west. + +He believed they were not far from Lake Ontario, and he had no doubt that +Montcalm had prepared some fell stroke. His mind settled at last upon +Oswego, where the Anglo-American forces had a post supposed to be strong, +and he was smitten with a fierce and commanding desire to escape and take a +warning. But he was compelled to eat his heart out without result. With +French and Indians all about him he had not the remotest chance and, +helpless, he was compelled to watch the Marquis de Montcalm march to what +he felt was going to be a French triumph. + +Swarms of Indian scouts and skirmishers preceded the army and Canadian +axmen cut a way for the artillery, but to Robert's great amazement these +operations lasted only a short time. Almost before he could realize it they +had emerged from the deep woods and he looked again upon the vast, shining +reaches of Lake Ontario. Then he learned for the first time that Montcalm's +army had come mostly in boats and in detachments, and was now united for +attack. As he had surmised, Oswego, which the English and Americans had +intended to be a great stronghold and rallying place in the west, was the +menaced position. + +Robert from a hill saw three forts before the French force, the largest +standing upon a plateau of considerable elevation on the east bank of the +river, which there flowed into the lake. It was shaped like a star, and the +fortifications consisted of trunks of trees, sharpened at the ends, driven +deep into the ground, and set as close together as possible. On the west +side of the river was another fort of stone and clay, and four hundred +yards beyond it was an unfinished stockade, so weak that its own garrison +had named it in derision Rascal Fort. Some flat boats and canoes lay in the +lake, and it was a man in one of these canoes who had been the first to +learn of the approach of Montcalm's army, so slender had been the +precautions taken by the officers in command of the forts. + +"We have come upon them almost as if we had dropped from the clouds," said +Langlade, exultingly, to Robert. "When they thought the Marquis de Montcalm +was in Montreal, lo! he was here! It is the French who are the great +leaders, the great soldiers and the great nation! Think you we would allow +ourselves to be surprised as Oswego has been?" + +Robert made no reply. His heart sank like a plummet in a pool. Already he +heard the crackling fire of musketry from the Indians who, sheltered in the +edge of the forest, were sending bullets against the stout logs of Fort +Ontario, but which could offer small resistance to cannon. And while the +sharpshooting went on, the French officers were planting the batteries, one +of four guns directly on the strand. The work was continued at a great pace +all through the night, and when Robert awoke from an uneasy sleep, in the +morning, he saw that the French had mounted twenty heavy cannon, which soon +poured showers of balls and grape and canister upon the log fort. He also +saw St. Luc among the guns directing their fire, while Tandakora's Indians +kept up an incessant and joyous yelling. + +The defenders of the stockade maintained a fire from rifles and several +small cannon, but it did little harm in the attacking army and Robert was +soldier enough to know that the log walls could not hold. While St. Luc +sent in the fire from the batteries faster and faster, a formidable force +of Canadians and Indians led by Rigaud, one of the best of Montcalm's +lieutenants, crossed the river, the men wading in the water up to their +waists, but holding their rifles over their heads. + +Tandakora was in this band, shouting savagely, and so was Langlade, but +Robert and the other prisoners, left under guard on the hill, saw +everything distinctly. They had no hope whatever that the chief fort, or +any of the forts, could hold out. Fragments of the logs were already flying +in the air as the stream of cannon balls beat upon them. The garrison made +a desperate resistance, but the cramped place was crowded with +women--settlers' wives--as well as men, the commander was killed, and at +last the white flag was hoisted on all the forts. + +Then the Indians, intoxicated with triumph and the strong liquors they had +seized, rushed in and began to ply the tomahawk. Montcalm, horrified, used +every effort to stop the incipient butchery, and St. Luc, Bourlamaque and, +in truth, all of his lieutenants, seconded him gallantly. Tandakora and his +men were compelled to return their tomahawks to their belts, and then the +French army was drawn around the captives, who numbered hundreds and +hundreds. + +It was another French and Indian victory like that over Braddock, though it +was not marked by the destruction of an army, and Robert's heart sank lower +and lower. He knew that it would be appalling news to Boston, to Albany and +to New York. The Marquis de Montcalm had justified the reputation that +preceded him. He had struck suddenly with lightning swiftness and with +terrible effect. Not only this blow, but its guarantee of others to come, +filled Robert's heart with fear for the future. + +The sun sank upon a rejoicing army. The Indians were still yelling and +dancing, and, though they were no longer allowed to sink their tomahawks in +the heads of their defenseless foes, they made imaginary strokes with them, +and shouted ferociously as they leaped and capered. + +Robert was on the strand near the shore of the lake, and wearied by his +long day of watching that which he wished least in the world to see, he sat +down on a sand heap, and put his head in his hands. Peculiarly sensitive to +atmosphere and surroundings, he was, for the moment, almost without hope. +But he knew, even when he was in despair, that his courage would come back. +It was one of the qualities of a temperament such as his that while he +might be in the depths at one hour he would be on the heights at the next. + +Several of the Indians, apparently those who had got at the liquor, were +careering up and down the sands, showing every sign of the blood madness +that often comes in the moment of triumph upon savage minds. Robert raised +his face from his hands and looked to see if Tandakora was among them, but +he caught no glimpse of the gigantic Ojibway. The French soldiers who were +guarding the prisoners gazed curiously at the demoniac figures. They were +of the battalions Bearn and Guienne and they had come newly from France. +Plunged suddenly into the wilderness, such sights as they now beheld +filled them with amazement, and often created a certain apprehension. They +were not so sure that their wild allies were just the kind of allies they +wanted. + +The sun set lower upon the savage scene, casting a dark glow over the +ruined forts, the troops, the leaping savages and the huddled prisoners. +One of the Indians danced and bounded more wildly than all the rest. He was +tall, but slim, apparently youthful, and he wore nothing except breech +cloth, leggings and moccasins, his naked body a miracle of savage painting. +Robert by and by watched him alone, fascinated by his extraordinary agility +and untiring enthusiasm. His figure seemed to shoot up in the air on +springs, and, with a glittering tomahawk, he slew and scalped an imaginary +foe over and over again, and every time the blade struck in the air he let +forth a shout that would have done credit to old Stentor himself. He ranged +up and down the beach, and presently, when he was close to Robert, he grew +more violent than ever, as if he were worked by some powerful mechanism +that would not let him rest. He had all the appearance of one who had gone +quite mad, and as he bounded near them, his tomahawk circling about his +head, the French guards shrank back, awed, and, at the same time, not +wishing to have any conflict with their red allies, who must be handled +with the greatest care. + +The man paused a moment before the young prisoner, whirled his tomahawk +about his head and uttered a ferocious shout. Robert looked straight into +the burning eyes, started violently and then became outwardly calm, though +every nerve and muscle in him was keyed to the utmost tension. "To the +lake!" exclaimed the Indian under his breath and then he danced toward the +water. + +Robert did not know at first what the words meant, and he waited in +indecision, but he saw that the care of the guards, owing to the confusion, +the fact that the battle was over, and the rejoicing for victory, was +relaxed. It would seem, too, that escape at such a time and place was +impossible, and that circumstance increased their inattention. + +The youth watched the dancing warrior, who was now moving toward the water, +over which the darkness of night had spread. But the lake was groaning with +a wind from the north, and several canoes near the beach were bobbing up +and down. The dancer paused a moment at the very edge of the water, and +looked back at Robert. Then he advanced into the waves themselves. + +All the young prisoner's indecision departed in a flash. The signal was +complete and he understood. He sprang violently against the French soldier +who stood nearest him and knocked him to the ground. Then with three or +four bounds he was at the water's edge, leaping into the canoe, just as +Tayoga settled himself into place there, and, seizing a paddle, pushed away +with powerful shoves. + +Robert nearly upset the canoe, but the Onondaga quickly made it regain its +balance, and then they were out on the lake under the kindly veil of the +night. The fugitive said nothing, he knew it was no time to speak, because +Tayoga's powerful back was bending with his mighty efforts and the bullets +were pattering in the water behind them. It was luck that the canoe was a +large one, partaking more of the nature of a boat, as Robert could remain +concealed on the bottom without tipping it over, while the Onondaga +continued to put all his nervous power and skill into his strokes. It was +equally fortunate, also, that the night had come and that the dusk was +thick, as it distracted yet further the hasty aim of the French and Indians +on shore. One bullet from a French rifle grazed Robert's shoulder, another +was deflected from Tayoga's paddle without striking it from his hand, but +in a few minutes they were beyond the range of those who stood on the bank, +although lead continued to fall in the water behind them. + +"Now you can rise, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, "and use the extra paddle +that I took the precaution to stow in the boat. Do not think because you +are an escaped prisoner that you are to rest in idleness and luxury, doing +no work while I do it all." + +"God bless you, Tayoga!" exclaimed Robert, in the fullness of his emotion. +"I'll work a week without stopping if you say so. I'm so glad to see you +that I'll do anything you say, and ask no questions. But I want to tell you +you're the most wonderful dancer and jumper in America!" + +"I danced and jumped so well, Dagaeoga, because your need made me do so. +Necessity gives a wonderful spring to the muscles. Behold how long and +strong you sweep with the paddle because the bullets of the enemy impel +you." + +"Which way are we going, Tayoga? What is your plan?" + +"Our aim at this moment, Dagaeoga, is the middle of the lake, because the +sons of Onontio and the warriors of Tandakora are all along the beach, and +would be waiting for us with rifle and tomahawk should we seek to land. +This is but a small boat in which we sit and it could not resist the waves +of a great storm, but at present it is far safer for us than any land near +by." + +"Of course you're right, Tayoga, you always are, but we're in the thick of +the darkness now, so you rest awhile and let me do the paddling alone." + +"It is a good thought, Dagaeoga, but keep straight in the direction we are +going. See that you do not paddle unconsciously in a curve. We shall +certainly be pursued, and although our foes cannot see us well in the dark, +some out of their number are likely to blunder upon us. If it comes to a +battle you will notice that I have an extra rifle and pistol for you lying +in the bottom of the canoe, and that I am something more than a supple +dancer and leaper." + +"You not only think of everything, Tayoga, but you also do it, which is +better. I shall take care to keep dead ahead." + +Robert in his turn bent forward and plied the paddle. He was not only +fresh, but the wonderful thrill of escape gave him a strength far beyond +the normal, and the great canoe fairly danced over the waters toward the +dusky deeps of the lake, while the Onondaga crouched at the other end of +the canoe, rifle in hand, intently watching the heavy pall of dusk behind +them. + +Their situation was still dangerous in the extreme, but the soul of Tayoga +swelled with triumph. Tandakora, the Ojibway, had rejoiced because he had +expected a great taking of scalps, but the purer spirit of the Onondaga +soared into the heights because he had saved his comrade of a thousand +dangers. He still saw faintly through the darkness the campfires of the +victorious French and Indian army, and he heard the swish of paddles, but +he did not yet discern any pursuing canoe. He detached his eyes for a +moment from the bank of dusk in front of him, and looked up at the skies. +The clouds and vapors kept him from seeing the great star upon which his +patron saint, Tododaho, sat, but he knew that he was there, and that he was +watching over him. He could not have achieved so much in the face of +uttermost peril and then fail in the lesser danger. + +The canoe glided swiftly on toward the wider reaches of the lake, and the +Onondaga never relaxed his watchfulness, for an instant. He was poised in +the canoe, every nerve and muscle ready to leap in a second into activity, +while his ears were strained for the sounds of paddles or oars. Now he +relied, as often before, more upon hearing than sight. Presently a sound +came, and it was that of oars. A boat parted the wall of dusk and he saw +that it contained both French and Indians, eight in all, the warriors +uttering a shout as they beheld the fugitive canoe. + +"Keep steadily on, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "I have my long barreled +rifle, and it will carry much farther than those of the foe. In another +minute it will tell them they had best stop, and if they will not obey its +voice then I will repeat the command with your rifle." + +Robert heard the sharp report of Tayoga's weapon, and then a cry from the +pursuing boat, saying the bullet had found its mark. + +"They still come, though in a hesitating manner," said Tayoga, "and I must +even give them a second notice." + +Now Robert heard the crack of the other rifle, and the answering cry, +signifying that its bullet, too, had sped home. + +"They stop now," said Tayoga. "They heed the double command." He rapidly +reloaded the rifles, and Robert, who saw an uncommonly thick bank of dusk +ahead, paddled directly into the heart of it. They paused there a few +moments and neither saw nor heard any pursuers. Tayoga put down the rifles, +now ready again for his deadly aim, and the two kept for a long time a +straight course toward the center of the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +Tayoga, into whose hands Robert had entrusted himself with the uttermost +faith, at last said stop, and drawing the paddles into the canoe they took +long, deep breaths of relief. Around them was a world of waters, silver +under the moon and stars now piercing the dusk, and the Onondaga could see +the vast star on which sat the mighty chieftain who had gone away four +hundred years ago to eternal life. + +"O Tododaho," he murmured, "thou hast guarded us well." + +"Where do you think we are, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"Perhaps twenty miles from land," replied the Onondaga, "and the farther +the better." + +"True, Tayoga. Never before did I see a big lake look so kindly. If it +didn't require so much effort I'd like to go to the very center of it and +stay there for a week." + +"Even as it is, Dagaeoga, we will wait here a while and take the long rest +we need." + +"And while we're doing nothing but swing in our great canoe, Tayoga, I want +to thank you for all you've done for me. I'd been a prisoner much longer +than I wished." + +"It but repays my debt, Dagaeoga. You will recall that you helped to save +me from the hands of Tandakora when he was going to burn me at the stake. +My imprisonment was short, but I have been in the forest the whole winter +and spring seeking to take you from Langlade." + +"All of which goes to show, Tayoga, that we must allow only one of us to be +captured at a time. The other must go free in order to rescue the one +taken." + +Although Robert's tone was light, his feeling was far from frivolous, but +he had been at extreme tension so long that he was compelled to seek +relief. + +"How did you manage it, Tayoga?" he asked. + +"In the confusion of the attack on the forts and the rejoicing that +followed it was easy," replied the Onondaga. "When so many others were +dancing and leaping it attracted no attention for me to dance and leap +also, and I selected, without interference, the boat, the extra paddle, +weapons and ammunition that I wished. Areskoui and Tododaho did the rest. +Do you feel stronger now, Dagaeoga?" + +"Aye, I'm still able to handle the paddle. I suppose we'd better seek a +landing. We can't stay out in the lake forever. Tayoga, you've taken the +part of Providence itself. Now did it occur to you in your infinite wisdom, +while you were storing paddles, weapons and ammunition in this boat, to +store food also?" + +The Onondaga's smile was wide and satisfying. + +"I thought of that, too, Dagaeoga," he replied, "because I knew our +journey, if we should be so fortunate as to have a journey, would take us +out on the lake, and I knew, also, that no matter how many hardships and +dangers Dagaeoga might pass through, the time would come when he would be +hungry. It is always so with Dagaeoga." + +He took a heavy knapsack from the bottom of the canoe and opened it. + +"It is a French knapsack," he said, "and it contains both bread and meat, +which we will enjoy." + +They ate in great content, and their spirits rose to an extraordinary +degree, though Tayoga regretted the absence of clothing which his disguise +had made necessary. Having been educated with white lads, and having +associated with white people so much, he was usually clad as completely as +they, either in their fashion or in his own full Indian costume. + +"My infinite wisdom was not so infinite that it told me to take a blanket," +he said, "and the wind coming down from the Canadian shore is growing +cold." + +"I'm surprised to hear you speak of such trifles as that, Tayoga, when +we've been dealing with affairs of life and death." + +"We are cold or we are warm, Dagaeoga, and peril and suffering do not alter +it. But lo! the wind is bringing the great mists with it, and we will +escape in them." + +They turned the canoe toward a point far to the east of the Indian camp and +began to paddle, not hastily but with long, slow, easy strokes that sent +the canoe over the water at a great rate. The fogs and vapors were thick +and close about them, but Tayoga knew the direction. Robert asked him if he +had heard of Willet, and the Onondaga said he had not seen him, but he had +learned from a Mohawk runner that the Great Bear had reached Waraiyageh +with the news of St. Luc's prospective advance, and Tayoga had also +contrived to get news through to him that he was lying in the forest, +waiting a chance to effect the rescue of Robert. + +Toward morning they landed on a shore, clothed in deep and primeval forest, +and with reluctance abandoned their canoe. + +"It is an Abenaki craft," said Tayoga. "It is made well, it has served us +well, and we will treat it well." + +Instead of leaving it on the lake to the mercy of storms they drew it into +some bushes at the mouth of a small creek, where it would stay securely, +and probably serve some day some chance traveler. Then they plunged into +the deep forest, but when they saw a smoke Robert remained hidden while +Tayoga went on, but with the intention of returning. + +The Onondaga was quite sure the smoke indicated the presence of a small +village and his quest was for clothes. + +"Let Dagaeoga rest in peace here in the thicket," he said, "and when I come +back I shall be clad as a man. Have no fears for me. I will not enter the +village Until after dark." + +He glided away without noise, and Robert, having supreme confidence in him, +lay down among the bushes, which were so dense that the keenest eyes could +not have seen him ten feet away. His frame was relaxed so thoroughly after +his immense exertions and he felt such utter thankfulness at his escape +that he soon fell into a deep slumber rather than sleep, and when he awoke +the dark had come, bringing with it Tayoga. + +"Lo, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, in a tone of intense satisfaction, "I +have done well. It is not pleasant to me to take the property of others, +but in this case what I have seized must have been captured from the +English. No watch was kept in the village, as they had heard of their great +victory and the warriors were away. I secured three splendid blankets, two +of green and one of brown. Since you have a coat, Dagaeoga, you can have +one green blanket and I will take the other two, one to wear and the other +to sleep in. I also took away more powder and lead, and as I have my bullet +molds we can increase our ammunition when we need it. I have added, too, a +supply of venison to our beef and bread." + +"You're an accomplished burglar, Tayoga, but I think that in this case your +patron saint, Tododaho, will forgive you. I'm devoutly glad of the blanket. +I feel stiff and sore, after such great exertions, and I find I've grown +cold with the coming of the dark." + +"It is a relapse," said Tayoga with some anxiety. "The strain on mind and +body has been too great. Better wrap yourself in the blanket at once, and +lie quiet in the thicket." + +Robert was prompt to take his advice, as his body was hot and his sight +was wavering. He felt that he was going to be ill and he might get it over +all the quicker by surrendering to it at once. He rolled the blanket +tightly about himself and lay down on the softest spot he could find. In +the night he became delirious and talked continually of Langlade, St. Luc +and Montcalm. But Tayoga watched by him continually until late, when he +hunted through the forest by moonlight for some powerful herbs known to +the Indians. In the morning he beat them and bruised them and cooked them +as best he could without utensils, and then dropped the juices into his +comrade's mouth, after which he carefully put out the fire, lest it be seen +by savage rovers. + +Robert was soon very much better. He had a profuse perspiration and came +out of his unconscious state, but was quite weak. He was also thoroughly +ashamed of himself. + +"Nice time for me to be breaking down," he said, "here in the wilderness +near an Indian village, hundreds of miles from any of our friends, save +those who are captured. I make my apologies, Tayoga." + +"They are not needed," said the Onondaga. "You defended me with your life +when I was wounded and the wolves sought to eat me, now I repay again. +There is nothing for Dagaeoga to do but to keep on perspiring, see that the +blanket is still wrapped around him, and tonight I will get something in +which to cook the food he needs." + +"How will you do that?" + +"I will go again to my village. I call it mine because it supplies what we +need and I will return with the spoil. Bide you in peace, Dagaeoga. You +have called me an accomplished burglar. I am more, I am a great one." + +Robert had the utmost confidence in him, and it was justified. When he +awoke from a restless slumber, Tayoga stood beside him, holding in his hand +a small iron kettle made in Canada, and a great iron spoon. + +"They are the best they had in the village," he said. "It is not a large +and rich village and so its possessions are not great, but I think these +will do. I have also brought with me some very tender meat of a young deer +that I found in one of the lodges." + +"You're all you claimed to be and more, Tayoga," said Robert earnestly and +gratefully. + +The Onondaga lighted a fire in a dip, and cutting the deer into tiny bits +made a most appetizing soup, which Robert's weak stomach was able to retain +and to crave more. + +"No," said Tayoga, "enough for tonight, but you shall have twice as much in +the morning. Now, go to sleep again." + +"I haven't been doing anything but sleep for the last day or two. I want to +get up and walk." + +"And have your fever come back. Besides, you are not strong enough yet to +walk more than a few steps." + +Robert knew that he would be forced to obey, and he passed the night partly +in dozing, and partly in staring at the sky. In the morning he was very +hungry and showed an increase of strength. Tayoga, true to his word, gave +him a double portion of the soup, but still forbade sternly any attempt at +walking. + +"Lie there, Dagaeoga," he said, "and let the wind blow over you, and I'll +go farther into the forest to see if friend or enemy be near." + +Robert, feeling that he must, lay peacefully on his back after the Onondaga +left him. He was free from fever, but he knew that Tayoga was right in +forbidding him to walk. It would be several days yet before he could +fulfill his old duties, as an active and powerful forest runner. Yet he was +very peaceful because the soreness of body that had troubled him was gone +and strength was flowing back into his veins. Despite the fact that he was +lying on his back alone in the wilderness, with savage foes not far away, +he believed that he had very much for which to be grateful. He had been +taken almost by a miracle out of the hands of his foes, and, when he was +ill and in his weakness might have been devoured by wild beasts or might +have starved to death, the most loyal and resourceful of comrades had been +by his side to save him. + +He saw the great star on which Tayoga's Tododaho lived, and he accepted so +much of the Iroquois theology, believing that it was in spirit and essence +the same as his own Christian belief, that he almost imagined he could see +the great Onondaga chieftain who had gone away four centuries ago. In any +event, it was a beneficent star, and he was glad that it shone down on him +so brilliantly. + +Tayoga before his departure had loaned him one of his blankets and now he +lay upon it, with the other wrapped around him, his loaded pistol in his +belt and his loaded rifle lying by his side. The fire that the Onondaga had +built in the dip not far away had been put out carefully and the ashes had +been scattered. + +Although it was midsummer, the night, as often happened in that northern +latitude, had come on cool, and the warmth of the blankets was not +unwelcome. Robert knew that he was only a mote in all that vast wilderness, +but the contiguity of the Indian village might cause warriors, either +arriving or departing, to pass near him. So he was not surprised when he +heard footsteps in the bushes not far away, and then the sound of voices. +Instinctively he tried to press his body into the earth, and he also lifted +carefully the loaded rifle, but second thought told him he was not likely +to be seen. + +Warriors presently came so near that they were visible, and to his surprise +and alarm he saw the huge figure of Tandakora among them. They were about a +dozen in number, walking in the most leisurely manner and once stopped very +close to him to talk. Although he raised himself up a little and clutched +the rifle more tightly he was still hopeful that they would not see him. +The Ojibway chieftain was in full war paint, with a fine new American +rifle, and also a small sword swinging from his belt. Both were undoubtedly +trophies of Oswego, and it was certain that after carrying the sword for a +while as a prize he would discard it. Indians never found much use for +swords. + +Robert always believed that Tayoga's Tododaho protected him that night, +because for a while all the chances were against him. As the warriors stood +near talking a frightened deer started up in the thicket, and Tandakora +himself brought it down with a lucky bullet, the unfortunate animal falling +not thirty yards from the hidden youth. They removed the skin and cut it +into portions where it lay, the whole task taking about a half hour, and +all the time Robert, lying under the brush, saw them distinctly. + +He was in mortal fear lest one of them wander into the dip where Tayoga had +built the fire, and see traces of the ashes, but they did not do so. Twice +warriors walked in that direction and his heart was in his mouth, but in +neither case did the errand take them so far. Tandakora was not alone in +bearing Oswego spoils. Nearly all of them had something, a rifle, a pistol +or a sword, and two wore officers' laced coats over their painted bodies. +The sight filled Robert with rage. Were his people to go on this way +indefinitely, sacrificing men and posts in unrelated efforts? Would they +allow the French, with inferior numbers, to beat them continuously? He had +seen Montcalm and talked with him, and he feared everything from that +daring and tenacious leader. + +While the Indians prepared the deer the moon and stars came out with +uncommon brilliancy, filling the forest with a misty, silver light. Robert +now saw Tandakora and his men so clearly that it seemed impossible for them +not to see him. Once more he had the instinctive desire to press himself +into the earth, but his mind told him that absolute silence was the most +necessary thing. As he lay, he could have picked off Tandakora with a +bullet from his rifle, and, so far as the border was concerned, he felt +that his own life was worth the sacrifice, but he loved his life and the +Ojibway might be put out of the way at some other time and place. + +Tayoga's Tododaho protected him once more. Two of the Indians wanted water +and they started in search of a brook which was never far away in that +region. It seemed for a moment or two that they would walk directly into +the dip, where scattered ashes lay, but the great Onondaga turned them +aside just in time and they found at another point the water they wished. +Robert's extreme tension lasted until they were back with the others. +Nevertheless their harmless return encouraged him in the belief that the +star was working in his behalf. + +The Indians were in no hurry. They talked freely over their task of +dressing and quartering the deer, and often they were so near that Robert +could hear distinctly what they said, but only once or twice did they use a +dialect that he could understand, and then they were speaking of the great +victory of Oswego, in which they confirmed the inference, drawn from the +spoils, that they like Tandakora had taken a part. They were in high good +humor, expecting more triumphs, and regarded the new French commander, +Montcalm, as a great and invincible leader. + +Robert was glad, then, that he was such an insignificant mote in the +wilderness and had he the power he would have made himself so small that he +would have become invisible, but as that was impossible he still trusted +in Tayoga's Tododaho. The Indian chief gave two of the warriors an order, +and they started on a course that would have brought them straight to him. +The lad gave himself up for lost, but, intending to make a desperate fight +for it, despite his weakness, his hand crept to the hammer and trigger of +his rifle. Something moved in the thicket, a bear, perhaps, or a lynx, and +the two Indians, when they were within twenty feet of him, turned aside to +investigate it. Then they went on, and it was quite clear again to Robert +that he had been right about the friendly intervention of Tododaho. + +Nor was it long until the truth was demonstrated to him once more, and in a +conclusive manner. The entire party departed, taking with them the portions +of the deer, and they passed so very close to him that their wary eyes, +which always watched on all sides, would have been compelled to see him, if +Tododaho, or perhaps it was Areskoui, or even Manitou, had not seen fit +just at that moment to draw a veil before the moon and stars and make the +shadow so deep under the bush where young Lennox lay that he was invisible, +although they stepped within fifteen feet of him. They went on in their +usual single file, disappearing in the direction of the village, while he +lay still and gave thanks. + +They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint +rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him. + +"I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw," said the Onondaga. +"It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the +earth and the air. Else they would have seen you." + +"It is so," said Robert, devoutly, "and it makes me all the more glad to +see you, Tayoga. I hope your journey, like all the others, has been +fruitful." + +The Onondaga smiled in the dusk. + +"It is a good village to which I go," he replied in his precise fashion. +"You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English +tongue a chemist's shop. It is such that I sought in the village, and I +found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could +reach at my leisure. Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from +the essence of the sassafras root. It will purge the impurities from your +blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong. Then +your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for +a long journey. I have also brought a small sack filled with samp." + +Robert uttered a little cry of joy. He craved bread, or at least something +that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as +hominy, was a most acceptable substitute. + +"You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga," he said. + +"I obtained also information," continued the Onondaga. "While I lay in one +of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking. They +believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them +and the French. Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and +he will take them from one victory to another. Their defeat by Andiatarocte +is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south. But they +intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and +English. Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the +Mountain Wolf." + +"Rogers! Is he somewhere near us?" exclaimed Robert eagerly. + +"Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him. The +Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. +Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, +with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as +they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us." + +"I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you +didn't, or if I didn't rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see +I did." + +"The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades. He would never desert +a friend in the hands of the enemy." + +"You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his +rangers?" + +"Of a certainty. As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough. Now lie still, while +I scout through the forest. If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and +then you must drink, and drink deep." + +He made a wide circuit, and, coming back, lighted a little fire on which he +warmed the tea in the pot that he had taken from the village on an earlier +night. Then, under the insistence of Tayoga, Robert drank a quantity that +amounted to three cups, and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which he +awoke the next day with an appetite so sharp that he felt able to bite a +big piece out of a tree. + +"I think I'll go hunt a buffalo, kill him and eat him whole," he said in a +large, round voice. + +"If so Dagaeoga will have to roam far," said Tayoga sedately. "The buffalo +is not found east of the Alleghanies, as you well know." + +"Of course I know it, but what are time and distance to a Samson like me? I +say I will go forth and slay a buffalo, unless I am fed at once and in +enormous quantities." + +"Would a haunch of venison and a gallon of samp help Dagaeoga a little?" + +"Yes, a little, they'd serve as appetizers for something real and +substantial to come." + +"Then if you feel so strong and are charged so full of ambition you can +help cook breakfast. You have had an easy time, Dagaeoga, but life +henceforth will not be all eating and sleeping." + +They had a big and pleasant breakfast together and Robert rejoiced in his +new vigor. It was wonderful to be so strong after having been so weak, it +was like life after death, and he was eager to start at once. + +"It is a good thing to have been ill," he said, "because then you know how +fine it is to be well." + +"But we will not depart before tomorrow," said the Onondaga decisively. + +"And why?" + +"Because you have lived long enough in the wilderness, Dagaeoga, to know +that one must always fight the weather. Look into the west, and you will +see a little cloud moving up from the horizon. It does not amount to much +at present, but it contains the seed of great things. It has been sent by +the Rain God, and it will not do yet for Dagaeoga, despite his new +strength, to travel in the rain." + +Robert became anxious as he watched the little cloud, which seemed to swell +as he looked at it, and which soon assumed an angry hue. He knew that +Tayoga had told the truth. Coming out of his fever it would be a terrible +risk for him to become drenched. + +"We will make a shelter such as we can in the dip where we built the fire," +said Tayoga, "and now you can use your new strength as much as you will in +wielding a tomahawk." + +They cut small saplings with utmost speed and speedily accomplished one of +the most difficult tasks of the border, making a rude brush shelter which +with the aid of their blankets would protect them from the storm. By the +time they had finished, the little cloud which had been at first a mere +signal had grown so prodigiously that it covered the whole heavens, and the +day became almost as dark as twilight. The lightning began to flash in +great, blazing strokes, and the thunder was so nearly continuous that the +earth kept up an incessant jarring. Then the rain poured heavily and Robert +saw Tayoga's wisdom. Although the shelter and his blanket kept the rain +from him he felt cold in the damp, and shivered as if with a chill. + +"When the storm stops, which will not be before dark," said Tayoga, "I +shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe. They have some, +acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them +belongs to you. So, Dagaeoga, I will get it." + +"Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already. I can make out very +well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet." + +"I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right. We work +together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one +member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of +battle. And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar? I +prove it anew tonight. As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, +the great storehouse of our supplies." + +The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert +saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for +him to say more. The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank +to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert's teeth +chattered, despite every effort to control his body. + +"I go, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "and I shall return with the great, warm +buffalo robe that belongs to you." + +Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone. He +knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt +his success. The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, +and some of it seeped through. Now and then a drop found its way down his +neck, and it felt like ice. Physically he was very miserable, and it began +to depress his spirit. He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining +the buffalo robe. + +The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely. +There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more. He sank +into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened +by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter. It was Tayoga, and +he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm. + +"I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga," he said +cheerfully. "It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had +to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his +warriors to claim shelter, food and rest. Then I took what was your own and +here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen." + +He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and +the sight of it made Robert's teeth stop chattering. He wrapped it around +his body and sufficient warmth came back. + +"You're a marvel, Tayoga," he said. "Does the village contain anything else +that belongs to us?" + +"Nothing that I can think of now. The rain will cease entirely in an hour, +and then we will start." + +His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert +wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in +his frame. But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a +good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came +they were only a few miles away. Robert's strength, however, stood the +test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast. Much +refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much +more than motes in the wilderness. Robert hoped that some chance would +enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the +place of a father to him. It did not seem possible that the Great Bear +could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have +been fought since his capture. He could not associate death with a man so +powerful and vital as Willet. + +The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe. It was quite +a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came +and particularly if there were other storms. They saw many trails in the +afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands. Nearly all +of them led southeast. + +"The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes," he said, "have heard +of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, +expecting many scalps and great spoils. Whenever the French win a triumph +it means more warriors for them." + +"And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?" + +"It is likely, Dagaeoga. But if it comes to battle see how much better it +is that you should be strong and able." + +"Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as +we did." + +The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced. Evidently swarms of +warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted. + +"It will not be wise for us to advance farther," he said. "We must seek +some hiding place." + +"Hark to that!" exclaimed Robert. + +A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear. Tayoga listened +intently, and it was repeated once. + +"Pursuit!" he said briefly. "They have come by chance upon our trail. It +may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate. They will never leave us +now, unless they are driven back." + +"Then we'd better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the +swarms are sure to be to the south of us." + +"It is so. Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we +will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also. I once left a +canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it." + +"What will we do with it if we find it?" + +"Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe. But now we must +press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga. See, there is a smoke in the south +and now another answers it in the north. They are talking about us." + +Robert saw the familiar signals which always meant peril to them, and he +was willing to go forward at the uttermost speed. He had become hardened in +a measure to danger, though it seemed to him that he was passing through +enough of it to last a lifetime. But his soul rose to meet it. + +They used all the customary devices to hide their traces, wading when there +was water, walking on stones or logs when they were available, but they +knew these stratagems would only delay Tandakora, they could not throw him +off the trail entirely. They hoped more from the coming dark, and, when +night came, it found them going at great speed. Just at twilight they heard +a faint shout again and the faint shout in reply, telling them the pursuit +was maintained, but the night fortunately proved to be very dark, and, an +hour or two later, they came to a heavy windrow, the result of some old +hurricane into which they drew for shelter and rest. They knew that not +even the Indian trailers could find them there in such darkness, and for +the present they were without apprehension. + +"Do you think they will pass us in the night?" asked Robert. + +"No," replied Tayoga. "They will wait until the dawn and pick up the trail +anew." + +"Then we'd better start again about midnight." + +"I think so, too." + +Meanwhile, lying comfortably among the fallen trees and leaves, they waited +in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +The long stay in the windrow served Robert well, more than atoning for the +drain made upon his strength by their rapid flight. In three or four hours +he was back in his normal state, and he felt proudly that he was now as +good as he had ever been. The night, as they had expected, was cold, and he +was thankful that he had hung on to the buffalo robe, in which he wrapped +himself once more, while Tayoga was snug between two big blankets. + +Robert dozed, but he was awakened by something stirring near them, and he +sat up with his finger on the trigger of his rifle. The Onondaga was +already listening and watching, ready with his weapon. Presently the white +youth heard his companion laughing softly, and his own tension relaxed, as +he knew Tayoga would not laugh without good cause. + +"It is a bear," said Tayoga, "and he has a lair in the windrow, not more +than twenty feet away. He has been out very late at night, too late for a +good, honest home-keeping bear, but he is back at last, and he smells us." + +"And alarmed by the odor he does not know whether to enter his home or not. +Well, I hope he'll conclude to take his rest. We eat bear at times, +Tayoga, but just now I wouldn't dream of harming one." + +"Nor would I, Dagaeoga, and maybe the bear will divine that we are +harmless, that is, Tododaho or Areskoui will tell him in some way of which +we know nothing that his home is his own to be entered without fear." + +"I think I hear him moving now, and also puffing a little." + +"You hear aright, Dagaeoga. Tododaho has whispered to him, even as I said, +and he is going into his den which I know is snug and warm, in the very +thickest part of the windrow. Now he is lying down in it with the logs and +branches about him, and soon he will be asleep, dreaming happy dreams of +tender roots and wild honey with no stings of bees to torment him." + +"You grow quite poetical, Tayoga." + +"Although foes are hunting us, I feel the spirit of the forest and of peace +strong upon me, Dagaeoga. Moreover, Tododaho, as I told you, has whispered +to the animals that we are not to be feared tonight. Hark to the tiny +rustling just beyond the log against which we lie!" + +"Yes, I hear it, and what do you make of it, Tayoga?" + +"Rabbits seeking their nests. They, too, have snuffed about, noticing the +man odor, which man himself cannot detect, and once they started away in +alarm, but now they are reassured, and they have settled themselves down to +sleep in comfort and security." + +"Tayoga, you talk well and fluently, but as I have told you before, you +talk out of a dictionary." + +"But as I learned my English out of a dictionary I cannot talk otherwise. +That is why my language is always so much superior to yours, Dagaeoga." + +"I'll let it be as you claim it, you boaster, but what noise is that now? I +seem to hear the light sound of hoofs." + +The Onondaga raised himself to his full height and peered over the dense +masses of trunks and boughs, his keen eyes cutting the thick dusk. Then he +sank back, and, when he replied, his voice showed distinct pleasure. + +"Two deer have come into a little open space, around which the arms of the +windrow stretch nearly all the way, and they have crouched there, where +they will rest, indifferent to the nearness of the bear. Truly, O Dagaeoga, +we have come into the midst of a happy family, and we have been accepted, +for the night, as members of it." + +"It must be so, Tayoga, because I see a figure much larger than that of the +deer approaching. Look to the north and behold that shadow there under the +trees." + +"I see it, Dagaeoga. It is the great northern moose, a bull. Perhaps he has +wandered down from Canada, as they are rare here. They are often +quarrelsome, but the bull is going to take his rest, within the shelter of +the windrow, and leave its other people at peace. Now he has found a good +place, and he will be quiet for the night." + +"Suppose you sleep a while, Tayoga. You have done all the watching for a +long time, and, as I'm fit and fine now, it's right for me to take up my +share of the burden." + +"Very well, but do not fail to awaken me in about three hours. We must not +be caught here in the morning by the warriors." + +He was asleep almost instantly, and Robert sat in a comfortable position +with his rifle across his knees. Responsibility brought back to him +self-respect and pride. He was now a full partner in the partnership, and +will and strength together made his faculties so keen that it would have +been difficult for anything about the windrow to have escaped his +attention. He heard the light rustlings of other animals coming to comfort +and safety, and flutterings as birds settled on upthrust boughs, many of +which were still covered with leaves. Once he heard a faint shout deep in +the forest, brought by the wind a great distance, and he was sure that it +was the cry of their Indian pursuers. Doubtless it was a signal and had +connection with the search, but he felt no alarm. Under the cover of +darkness Tayoga and he were still motes in the wilderness, and, while the +night lasted, Tandakora could not find them. + +When he judged that the three hours had passed he awoke the Onondaga and +they took their silent way north by east, covering much more distance by +dawn. But both were certain that warriors of Tandakora would pick up their +traces again that day. They would spread through the forest, and, when one +of them struck the trail, a cry would be sufficient to call the others. +But they pressed on, still adopting every possible device to throw off +their pursuers, and they continued their flight several days, always +through an unbroken forest, over hills and across many streams, large and +small. It seemed, at times, to Robert that the pursuit must have dropped +away, but Tayoga was quite positive that Tandakora still followed. The +Ojibway, he said, had divined the identity of the fugitives and every +motive would make him follow, even all the way across the Province of New +York and beyond, if need be. + +They came at last to a lake, large, beautiful, extending many miles through +the wilderness, and Tayoga, usually so calm, uttered a little cry of +delight, which Robert repeated, but in fuller volume. + +"I think lakes are the finest things in the world," he said. "They always +stir me." + +"And that is why Manitou put so many and such splendid ones in the land of +the Hodenosaunee," said Tayoga. "This is Ganoatohale, which you call in +your language Oneida, and it is on its shores that I hid the canoe of which +I spoke to you. I think we shall find it just as I left it." + +"I devoutly hope so. A canoe and paddles would give me much pleasure just +now, and Ganoatohale will leave no trail." + +They walked northward along the shore of the lake, and they came to a place +where many tall reeds grew thick and close in shallow water. Tayoga plunged +into the very heart of them and Robert's heart rose with a bound, when he +reappeared dragging after him a large and strong canoe, containing two +paddles. + +"It has rested in quiet waiting for us," he said. "It is a good canoe, and +it knew that I would come some time to claim it." + +"Before we go upon our voyage," said Robert, "I think we shall have to pay +some attention to the question of food. My pouch is about empty." + +"And so is mine. We shall have to take the risk, Dagaeoga, and shoot a +deer. Tandakora may be so far behind that none of his warriors will hear +the shot, but even so we cannot live without eating. We will, however, hunt +from the canoe. Since the war began, all human beings have gone away from +this lake, and the deer should be plentiful." + +They launched the canoe on the deep waters, and the two took up the +paddles, sending their little craft northward, with slow, deliberate +strokes. They had the luck within the hour to find a deer drinking, and +with equal luck Robert slew it at the first shot. They would have taken the +body into the canoe, but the burden was too great, and Tayoga cut it up and +dressed it with great dispatch, while Robert watched. Then they made room +for the four quarters and again paddled northward. Fearing that Tandakora +had come much nearer, while they were busy with the deer, they did not dare +the wide expanse of the lake, but remained for the present under cover of +the overhanging forest on the western shore. + +"If we put the lake between Tandakora and ourselves," said Robert, "we +ought to be safe." + +"It is likely that they, too, have canoes hidden in the reeds," said +Tayoga. "Since the French and their allies have spread so far south they +would provide for the time when they wanted to go upon the waters of +Ganoatohale. It is almost a certainty that we shall be pursued upon the +lake." + +They continued northward, never leaving the dark shadow cast by the dense +leafage, and, as they went slowly, they enjoyed the luxury of the canoe. +After so much walking through the wilderness it was a much pleasanter +method of traveling. But they did not forget vigilance, continually +scanning the waters, and Robert's heart gave a sudden beat as he saw a +black dot appear upon the surface of the lake in the south. It was followed +in a moment by another, then another and then three more. + +"It is the band of Tandakora, beyond a doubt," said Tayoga with conviction. +"They had their canoes among the reeds even as we had ours, and now it is +well for us that water leaves no trail." + +"Shall we hide the canoe again, and take to the woods?" + +"I think not, Dagaeoga. They have had no chance to see us yet. We will +withdraw among the reeds until night comes, and then under its cover cross +Ganoatohale." + +Keeping almost against the bank, they moved gently until they came to a +vast clump of reeds into which they pushed the canoe, while retaining their +seats in it. In the center they paused and waited. From that point they +could see upon the lake, while remaining invisible themselves, and they +waited. + +The six canoes or large boats, they could not tell at the distance which +they were, went far out into the lake, circled around for a while, and then +bore back toward the western shore, along which they passed, inspecting it +carefully, and drawing steadily nearer to Robert and Tayoga. + +"Now, let us give thanks to Tododaho, Areskoui and to Manitou himself," +said the Onondaga, "that they have been pleased to make the reeds grow in +this particular place so thick and so tall." + +"Yes," said Robert, "they're fine reeds, beautiful reeds, a greater bulwark +to us just now than big oaks could be. Think you, Tayoga, that you +recognize the large man in the first boat?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, I know him, as you do also. How could we mistake our great +enemy, Tandakora? It is a formidable fleet, too strong for us to resist, +and, like the wise man, we hide when we cannot fight." + +Robert's pulses beat so hard they hurt, but he would not show any +uneasiness in the presence of Tayoga, and he sat immovable in the canoe. +Nearer and nearer came the Indian fleet, partly of canoes and partly of +boats, and he counted in them sixteen warriors, all armed heavily. Now he +prayed to Manitou, and to his own God who was the same as Manitou, that no +thought of pushing among the reeds would enter Tandakora's head. The fleet +soon came abreast of them, but his prayers were answered, as Tandakora led +ahead, evidently thinking the fugitives would not dare to hide and lie in +waiting, but would press on in flight up the western shore. + +"I could pick him off from here with a bullet," said Robert, looking at the +huge, painted chest of the Ojibway chief. + +"But our lives would be the forfeit," the Onondaga whispered back. + +"I had no intention of doing it." + +"Now they have passed us, and for the while we are safe. They will go on up +the lake, until they find no trace of us there, and then Tandakora will +come back." + +"But how does he know we have a canoe?" + +"He does not know it, but he feels sure of it because our trail led +straight to the lake, and we would not purposely come up against such a +barrier, unless we knew of a way to cross it." + +"That sounds like good logic. Of course when they return they'll make a +much more thorough search of the lake's edge, and then they'd be likely to +find us if we remained here." + +"It is so, but perhaps the night will come before Tandakora, and then we'll +take flight upon the lake." + +They pushed their canoe back to the edge of the reeds, and watched the +Indian boats passing in single file northward, becoming smaller and smaller +until they almost blended with the water, but both knew they would return, +and in that lay their great danger. The afternoon was well advanced, but +the sun was very brilliant, and it was hot within the reeds. Great +quantities of wild fowl whirred about them and along the edges of the +lake. + +"No warriors are in hiding near us," said Tayoga, "or the wild fowl would +fly away. We can feel sure that we have only Tandakora and his band to +fear." + +Robert had never watched the sun with more impatience. It was already going +down the western arch, but it seemed to him to travel with incredible +slowness. Far in the north the Indian boats were mere black dots on the +water, but they were turning. Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back. + +"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he +said. "We can gain at least that much advantage." + +Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, +extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting +shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than +one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open +water. Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited +the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety. They recognized that +their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so. If only the night +would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although +at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly +that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side +to darkness. + +The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank. It poured +showers of rays upon the broad surface of the lake, and the silver of the +waters turned to orange and gold. Everything there was enlarged and made +more vivid, standing out twofold against the burning western background. +Nothing beyond the shadow could escape the observation of the Indians in +the boats, and they themselves in Robert's intense imagination changed from +a line of six light craft into a great fleet. + +Nevertheless the sun, lingering as if it preferred their side of the world +to any other, was bound to go at last. The deep colors in the water faded. +The orange and gold changed back to silver, and the silver, in its turn, +gave way to gray, twilight began to draw a heavy veil over the east, and +Tayoga said in deep tones: + +"Lo, the Sun God has decided that we may escape! He will let the night come +before Tandakora!" + +Then the sun departed all at once, and the brilliant afterglow soon faded. +Night settled down, thick and dark, with the waters, ruffled by a light +wind, showing but dimly. The line of Tandakora became invisible, and the +two youths felt intense relief. + +"Now we will start toward the northeastern end of the lake," said Tayoga. +"It will be wiser than to seek the shortest road across, because Tandakora +will think naturally that we have gone that way, and he will take it also." + +"And it's paddling all night for us," said Robert "Well, I welcome it." + +They were interrupted by the whirring of the wild fowl again, though on a +much greater scale than before. The twilight was filled with feathered +bodies. Tayoga, in an instant, was all attention. + +"Something has frightened them," he said. + +"Perhaps a bear or a deer," said Robert. + +"I think not. They are used to wild animals, and would not be startled at +their approach. There is only one being that everything in the forest +generally fears." + +"Man?" + +"Even so, Dagaeoga." + +"Perhaps we'd better pull in close to the bank and look." + +"It would be wise." + +Robert saw that the Onondaga, with his acute instincts, was deeply alarmed, +and he too felt that the wild fowl had given warning. They sent the canoe +with a few silent strokes through the shallow water almost to the edge of +the land, and, as it nearly struck bottom, two dusky figures rising among +the bushes threw their weight upon them. The light craft sank almost to the +edges with the weight, but did not overturn, and both attackers and +attacked fell out of it into the lake. + +Robert for a moment saw a dusky face above him, and instinctively he +clasped the body of a warrior in his arms. Then the two went down together +in the water. The Indian was about to strike at him with a knife, but the +lake saved him. As the water rushed into eye, mouth and nostril the two +fell apart, but Robert was able to keep his presence of mind in that +terrible moment, and, as he came up again, he snatched out his own knife +and struck almost blindly. + +He felt the blade encounter resistance, and then pass through it. He heard +a choked cry and he shuddered violently. All his instincts were for +civilization and against the taking of human life, and he had struck merely +to save his own, but almost articulate words of thankfulness bubbled to his +lips as he saw the dark figure that had hovered so mercilessly over him +disappear. Then a second figure took the place of the first and he drew +back the fatal blade again, but a soft voice said: + +"Do not strike, Dagaeoga. I also have accounted for one of the warriors who +attacked us, and no more have yet come. We may thank the wild fowl. Had +they not warned us we should have perished." + +"And even then we had luck, or your Tododaho is still watching over us. I +struck at random, but the blade was guided to its mark." + +"And so was mine. What you say is also proved to be true by the fact that +the canoe did not overturn, when they threw themselves upon us. The chances +were at least ninety-nine out of a hundred that it would do so." + +"And our arms and ammunition and our deer?" + +"All in the canoe, except the weapons that are in our belts." + +"Then, Tayoga, it is quite sure that your Tododaho has been watching over +us. But where is the canoe?" + +Robert was filled with alarm and horror. They were standing above their +knees in the water, and they no longer saw the little craft, which had +become a veritable ship of refuge to them. They peered about frantically +in the dusk and then Tayoga said: + +"There is a strong breeze blowing from the land and waves are beginning to +run on the water. They have taken the canoe out into the lake. We must swim +in search of it." + +"And if we don't find it?" + +"Then we drown, but O Dagaeoga, death in the water is better than death in +the fires that Tandakora will kindle." + +"We might escape into the woods." + +"Warriors who have come upon our trail are there, and would fall upon us at +once. The attack by the two who failed proves their presence." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must take the perilous chance and swim for the canoe." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga." + +Both were splendid swimmers, even with their clothes on, and, wading out +until the water was above their waists, they began to swim with strong and +steady strokes toward the middle of the lake, following with exactness the +course of the wind. All the time they sought with anxious eyes through the +dusk for a darker shadow that might be the canoe. The wind rose rapidly, +and now and then the crest of a wave dashed over them. Less expert swimmers +would have sunk, but their muscles were hardened by years of forest +life--all Robert's strength had come back to him--and an immense vitality +made the love of life overwhelming in them. They fought with all the +powers of mind and body for the single chance of overtaking the canoe. + +"I hope you see it, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Not yet," replied the Onondaga. "The darkness is heavy over the lake, and +the mists and vapors, rising from the water, increase it." + +"It was a fine canoe, Tayoga, and it holds our rifles, our ammunition, our +deer, my buffalo robe, and all our precious belongings. We have to find +it." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga. We have no other choice. We truly swim for life. One +could pray at this time to have all the powers of a great fish. Do you see +anything behind us?" + +Robert twisted his head and looked over his shoulder. + +"I see no pursuit," he replied. "I cannot even see the shore, as the mists +and vapors have settled down between. In a sense we're out at sea, Tayoga." + +"And Ganoatohale is large. The canoe, too, is afloat upon its bosom and is, +as you say, out at sea. We and it must meet or we are lost. Are you weary, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Not yet. I can still swim for quite a while." + +"Then float a little, and we can take the exact course of the wind again. +The canoe, of course, will continue to go the way the wind goes." + +"Unless it's deflected by currents which do not always follow the wind." + +"I do not notice any current, and to follow the wind is our only hope. The +mists and vapors will hide the canoe from us until we are very close to it" + +"And you may thank Tododaho that they will hide something else also. +Unless I make a great mistake, Tayoga, I hear the swish of paddles." + +"You make no mistake, Dagaeoga. I too hear paddles, ten, a dozen, or more +of them. It is the fleet of Tandakora coming back and it will soon be +passing between us and the shore. Truly we may be thankful, as you say, for +the mists and vapors which, while they hide the canoe from us, also hide us +from our enemies." + +"I shall lie flat upon my back and float, and I'll blend with the water." + +"It is a wise plan, Dagaeoga. So shall I. Then Tandakora himself would not +see us, even if he passed within twenty feet of us." + +"He is passing now, and I can see the outlines of their boats." + +The two were silent as the fish themselves, sustained by imperceptible +strokes, and Robert saw the fleet of Tandakora pass in a ghostly line. They +looked unreal, a shadow following shadows, the huge figure of the Ojibway +chief in the first boat a shadow itself. Robert's blood chilled, and it was +not from the cold of the water. He was in a mystic and unreal world, but a +world in which danger pressed in on every side. He felt like one living +back in a primeval time. The swish of the paddles was doubled and tripled +by his imagination, and the canoes seemed to be almost on him. + +The questing eyes of Tandakora and his warriors swept the waters as far as +the night, surcharged with mists and vapors, would allow, but they did not +see the two human figures, so near them and almost submerged in the lake. +The sound of the swishing paddles moved southward, and the line of ghostly +canoes melted again, one by one, into the darkness. + +"They're gone, Tayoga," whispered Robert in a tone of immense relief. + +"So they are, Dagaeoga, and they will seek us long elsewhere. Are you yet +weary?" + +"I might be at another time, but with my life at stake I can't afford to +grow tired. Let us follow the wind once more." + +They swam anew with powerful strokes, despite the long time they had been +in the water, and no sailors, dying of thirst, ever scanned the sea more +eagerly for a sail than they searched through the heavy dusk for their lost +canoe. The wind continued to rise, and the waves with it. Foam was often +dashed over their heads, the water grew cold to their bodies, now and then +they floated on their backs to rest themselves and thus the singular chase, +with the wind their only guide, was maintained. + +Robert was the first to see a dim shape, but he would not say anything +until it grew in substance and solidity. Nevertheless hope flooded his +heart, and then he said: + +"The wind has guided us aright, Tayoga. Unless some evil spirit has taught +my eyes to lie to me that is our canoe straight ahead." + +"It has all the appearance of a canoe, Dagaeoga, and since the only canoe +on this part of the lake is our canoe, then our canoe it is." + +"And none too soon. I'm not yet worn out, but the cold of the water is +entering my bones. I can see very clearly now that it's the canoe, our +canoe. It stands up like a ship, the strongest canoe, the finest canoe, the +friendliest canoe that ever floated on a lake or anywhere else. I can hear +it saying to us: 'I have been waiting for you. Why didn't you come +sooner?'" + +"Truly when Dagaeoga is an old, old man, nearly a hundred, and the angel of +death comes for him, he will rise up in his bed and with the rounded words +pouring from his lips he will say to the angel: 'Let me make a speech only +an hour long and then I will go with you without trouble, else I stay here +and refuse to die.'" + +"I'm using words to express my gratitude, Tayoga. Look, the canoe is moving +slowly toward the center of the lake, but it stays back as much as the wind +will let it and keeps beckoning to us. A few more long, swift strokes, +Tayoga, and we're beside it." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, and we must be careful how we climb into it. It is no light +task to board a canoe in the middle of a lake. Since Tododaho would not let +it be overturned, when we fell out of it, we must not overturn it ourselves +when we get back into it, else we lose all our arms, ammunition and other +supplies." + +The canoe was now not more than fifty feet in front of them, moving +steadily farther and farther from land before the wind that blew out of the +west, but, sitting upright on the waters like a thing of life, bearing its +precious freight. The mists and vapors had closed in so much now that their +chance of seeing it had been only one in a thousand, and yet that lone +chance had happened. The devout soul of Tayoga was filled with gratitude. +Even while swimming he looked up at the great star that he could not see +beyond the thick veil of cloud, but, knowing it was there, he returned +thanks to the mighty Onondaga chieftain who had saved them so often. + +"The canoe retreats before us, Dagaeoga," he said, "but it is not to escape +us, it is to beckon us on, out of the path of Tandakora's boats which soon +may be returning again and which will now come farther out into the lake, +thinking that we may possibly have made a dash under the cover of the +mists." + +"What you predict is already coming true, Tayoga," said Robert, "because I +hear the first faint dip of their paddles once more, and they can't be more +than two hundred yards behind us." + +The regular swishing grew louder and came closer, but the courage of the +two youths was still high. They had been drawn on so steadily by the canoe, +apparently in a predestined course, and they had been victors over so many +dangers, that they were confident the boats of Tandakora would pass once +more and leave them unseen. + +"They're almost abreast of us now, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, looking back. "They do not appear +through the mist and we hear only the paddles, but we know the threat is +there, and we can follow them as well with ear as with eye. They keep +straight on, going back toward the north. Nothing tells them we are here, +as our canoe beckons to us, nothing guides them to that for which they are +looking. Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and +now it is gone wholly. They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the +last of our strength and overtake the canoe." + +They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the +side of the canoe. Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the +first to climb into it. The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few +minutes exhausted on the bottom. Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full +voice: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, +because we have looked into the face of death." + +Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga +that their escape was a miracle. His nature contained much that was devout +and spiritual and he, too, with his impressionable imagination, peopled +earth and air almost unconsciously with spirits, good and bad. The good and +bad often fought together, and sometimes the good prevailed as they had +just done. There lay in the canoe the paddles, which they had lifted out of +the water in their surprise at the sudden attack, and beside them were the +rifles and everything else they needed. + +They were content to let the canoe travel its own course for a long time, +and that course was definite and certain, as if guided by the hand of man. +The wind always carried it toward the northeast and farther and farther +away from the fleet of Tandakora. But they took off their clothing, wrung +out as much water as they could, and wrapped themselves in the dry blankets +from their packs. Robert's spirits, stimulated by the reaction, bubbled up +in a wonderful manner. + +"We'll see no more of Tandakora for a long time, at least," he exclaimed, +"and now, ho! for our wonderful voyage!" + +They drew the wet charges from their pistols and reloaded them, they +polished anew their hatchets and knives and then, these tasks done, they +still sat for a long time in the canoe, idle and content. Their little boat +needed no help or guidance from their hands. That favoring wind always +carried it away from their enemies and in the direction in which they +wished it to go. And yet the wind did not blow away the mists and vapors, +that grew thicker and thicker around them, until they could not see twenty +feet away. + +Robert's feeling that they were protected, his sense of the spiritual and +mystic, grew, and he saw that the mind of Tayoga was under the same spell. +The waters of the lake were friendly now. As they lapped around the canoe +they made a soothing sound, and the wind that guided and propelled them +sang a low but pleasant song. + +"We are in the arms of Tododaho," said Tayoga in a reverential tone, "and +Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, also looks on and smiles. What need for us to +strive when the gods themselves take us in their keeping?" + +Hours passed before they spoke again. They had been at the uttermost verge +of exhaustion when they climbed into the canoe, and perhaps physical +weakness had made their minds more receptive to the belief that they were +in hands mightier than their own, but even as strength came back the +conviction remained in all its primitive force. Warmth returned to their +bodies, wrapped in the blankets, and they felt an immense peace. Midnight +passed and the boat bore steadily on with its two silent occupants. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +"Where are we, Tayoga?" + +Robert stirred from a doze and the words were involuntary. He looked upon +water, covered with mists and vapors, and the driving wind was still behind +them. + +"I know not, Dagaeoga," replied the Onondaga in devout tones. "I too have +dozed for a while, and awoke to find nothing changed. All I know is that we +are yet on the bosom of Ganoatohale, and that the west wind has borne us +on. I have always loved the west wind, Dagaeoga. Its breath is sweet on my +face. It comes from the setting sun, from the greatest of all seas that +lies beyond our continent, it blows over the vast unknown plains that are +trodden by the buffalo in myriads, it comes across the mighty forests of +the great valley, it is loaded with all the odors and perfumes of our +immense land, and now it carries us, too, to safety." + +"You talk in hexameters, Tayoga, but I think your rhapsody is justified. I +also have plenty of cause now to love the west wind. How long do you think +it will be until we feel the dawn on our faces?" + +"Two hours, perhaps, but we may reach land before then. While I cannot +smell the dawn I seem to perceive the odor of the forest. Now it grows +stronger, and lo, Dagaeoga, there is another sign! Do you not notice it?" + +"No, what is it?" + +"The west wind that has served us so well is dying. _Gaoh_, which in +our language of the Hodenosaunee is the spirit of the winds, knows that we +need it no more. Surely the land is near because _Gaoh_ after being a +benevolent spirit to us so long would not desert us at the last moment." + +"I think you must be right, Tayoga, because now I also notice the strong, +keen perfume of the woods, and our west wind has sunk to almost nothing." + +"Nay, Dagaeoga, it is more than that. It has died wholly. _Gaoh_ +tells us that having brought us so near the land we can now fend for +ourselves." + +The air became absolutely still, the swell ceased, the surface of the lake +became as smooth as glass, and, as if swept back by a mighty, unseen hand, +the mists and vapors suddenly floated away toward the east. Tayoga and +Robert uttered cries of admiration and gratitude, as a high, green shore +appeared, veiled but not hidden in the dusk. + +"So Tododaho has brought us safely across the waters of Ganoatohale," said +the Onondaga. + +"Have you any idea of the point to which we have come?" asked Robert. + +"No, but it is sufficient that we have come to the shore anywhere. And see, +Dagaeoga, the mists and vapors still hang heavily over the western half of +the lake, forming an impenetrable wall that shuts us off from Tandakora +and his warriors. Truly we are for the time the favorites of the gods." + +"Even so, Tayoga, you see, too, that we have come to land just where a +little river empties into the lake, and we can go on up it." + +They paddled with vigorous arms into the mouth of the stream, and did not +stop until the day came. It was a beautiful little river, the massed +vegetation growing in walls of green to the very water's edge, the songs of +innumerable birds coming out of the cool gloom on either side. Robert was +enchanted. His spirits were still at the high key to which they had been +raised by the events of the night. Both he and Tayoga had enjoyed many +hours of rest in the canoe, and now they were keen and strong for the day's +work. So, it was long after dawn when they stopped paddling, and pushed +their prow into a little cove. + +"And now," said Robert, "I think we can land, dress, and cook some of this +precious deer, which we have brought with us in spite of everything." + +Their clothing had been dried by the sun, and they resumed it. Then, taking +all risks, they lighted a fire, broiled tender steaks and ate like giants +who had finished great labors. + +"I think," said Tayoga, "that when we proceed a few miles farther it will +be better to leave the canoe. It is likely that as we advance the river +will become narrower, and we would be an easy target for a shot from the +bank." + +"I don't like to abandon a canoe which has brought us safely across the +lake." + +"We will put it away where it can await our coming another time. But I +think we can dare the river for some distance yet." + +Robert had spoken for the sake of precaution, and he was easily persuaded +to continue in the river some miles, as traveling by canoe was pleasant, +and after their miraculous escape or rather rescue, as it seemed to them, +their spirits, already high, were steadily rising higher. The lone little +river of the north, on which they were traveling, presented a spectacle of +uncommon beauty. Its waters flowed in a clear, silver stream down to the +lake, deeper in tint on the still reaches, and, flashing in the sunlight, +where it rushed over the shallows. + +All the time they moved between two lofty, green walls, the forest growing +so densely on either shore that they could not see back into it more than +fifty yards, while the green along its lower edges was dotted with pink and +blue and red, where the delicate wild flowers were blooming. The birds in +the odorous depths of the foliage sang incessantly, and Robert had never +before heard them sing so sweetly. + +"I don't think any of our foes can be in ambush along the river," he said. +"It's too peaceful and the birds sing with too much enthusiasm. You +remember how they warned us of danger once by all going away?" + +"True, Dagaeoga, and at any time now they may leave. But, like you, I am +willing to take the risk for several hours more. Most of the warriors must +be far south of us unless the rangers are in this region, and a special +force has been sent to meet them." + +They came by and by to a long stretch of rippling shallows, and they were +compelled to carry the canoe with its load through the woods and around +them, the task, owing to the density of the forest and thicket and the +weight of their burden, straining their muscles and drawing perspiration +from their faces. But they took consolation from the fact that game was +amazingly plentiful. Deer sprang up everywhere, and twice they caught +glimpses of bears shambling away. Squirrels chattered over their heads and +the little people of the forest rustled all about them. + +"It shows that no human being has been through here recently," said Tayoga, +"else the game, big and little, would not have been stirring abroad with so +much confidence." + +"Then as soon as we make the portage we can return to the river with the +canoe." + +"Dagaeoga grows lazy. Does he not know that to do the hard thing +strengthens both mind and body? Has he forgotten what Mynheer Jacobus +Huysman told us so often in Albany? Now is a splendid opportunity for +Dagaeoga to harden himself a great deal." + +"I realize it, Tayoga, but I don't want my mind and body to grow too hard. +When one is all steel one ceases to be receptive. Can you see the river +through the trees there?" + +"I catch the glitter of sunlight on the water." + +"I hope it looks like deep water." + +"It is sufficient to float the canoe and the lazy Dagaeoga can take to his +paddle again." + +They put their boat back into the stream, uttering great sighs of relief, +and resumed the far more pleasant travel by water, the day remaining golden +as if doing its best to please them. They had another long stretch of good +water, and they did not stop until they were well into the afternoon. Then +Tayoga proposed that they make a fire and cook all of the deer. + +"It seems that the risk here is not great," he said, "and we may not have +the chance later on." + +Robert, who still felt that they were protected and that for a day or two +no harm could come to them under any circumstances, was more than willing, +and they spent the remainder of the day in their culinary task. After dark +he slept three hours, to be followed by Tayoga for the same length of time, +and about midnight they started up the stream again, with their food cooked +and ready beside them. + +Although the Onondaga shared Robert's feeling that they were protected for +the time, both exercised all their usual caution, believing thoroughly in +the old saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. It was this +watchfulness, particularly of ear, that caused them to hear the dip of +paddles approaching up the stream. Softly and in silence, they lifted the +canoe out of water and hid with it in the greenwood. Then they saw a fleet +of eight large canoes go by, all containing warriors, armed heavily and in +full war paint. + +"Hurons," whispered Tayoga. "They go south for a great taking of scalps, +doubtless to join Montcalm, who is surely meditating another sudden and +terrible blow." + +"And he will strike at our forts by Andiatarocte," rejoined Robert. "I hope +we can find Willet and Rogers soon and take the news. All the woods must be +full of warriors going south to Montcalm." + +"They have French guns, and good ones too, and they are wrapped in French +blankets. Onontio does not forget the power of the warriors and draws them +to him." + +The silent file of war canoes passed on and out of sight, and, for a space, +Robert's heart was heavy within him. He felt the call of battle, he ought +to be in the south, giving what he could to the defense against the might +of Montcalm, but to go now would be merely a dash in the dark. They must +continue to seek Willet and Rogers. + +When the last Indian canoe was far beyond hearing they relaunched their own +and paddled until nearly daybreak, coming to a place where bushes and tall +grass grew thick in the shallow water at the edge of the river. + +"Here," said Tayoga, "we will leave the canoe. A good hiding place offers +itself, and with the dawn it will be time for us to take to the woods." + +They concealed with great art the little boat that had served them so well, +sinking it in the heart of the densest growth and then drawing back the +bushes and weeds so skillfully that the keenest Indian eye would not have +noticed that anyone had ever been there. + +"I hope," said Robert sincerely, "that we'll have the chance to return +here some time or other and use it again." + +"That rests in the keeping of Manitou," said the Onondaga, "and now we will +take up our packs and go eastward toward Oneadatote." + +"But we won't go fast, because my pack, with all this venison in it, is by +no means light." + +"It is no heavier than mine, Dagaeoga, but, as you say, we will not hasten, +lest we pass the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf in the forest and not +know it. But I think we are safe in going toward Oneadatote, as Rogers and +his rangers usually operate in the region of George and Champlain." + +They traveled two days and two nights and came once more among the high +ridges and peaks. They saw many Indian trails and always they watched for +another. On the third day Tayoga discovered traces in moss and he said with +great satisfaction to his comrade: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, we, too, be wise in our time. The print here speaks to me +like the print on the page of a book. It says that the Great Bear has +passed this way." + +"I can tell that the traces were made by the feet of a white man," said +Robert, "but how do you know they are Dave's?" + +"I have noticed that the Great Bear's feet are more slender than the +average. Also he bears less upon the heel. He poises himself more upon the +toe, like the great swordsman we saw him to be that time in Quebec." + +"The distinctions are too fine for me, Tayoga, but I don't question your +own powers of observation. I accept your statement with gratitude and joy, +too, because now we know that Dave is alive, and somewhere in the great +northern forest of the Province of New York. I knew he could not be dead, +but it's a relief anyhow to have the proof. But as I see no other traces, +how is it, do you think, that he happens to be alone?" + +"The Great Bear may have been making a little scout by himself. I still +think that he is with Rogers and the rangers, and when we follow his trail +we are likely to find soon that he has rejoined them." + +The traces led north and east until they came to rocky ground, where they +were lost, and Tayoga assumed from the fact that they were several days +old, otherwise he could have made them out even in the more difficult +region. But when the path, despite all his searching, vanished in the air, +he began to look higher than the earth. Soon he smiled and said: + +"Ah, the Great Bear is as wise as the fox and the serpent combined. He +knows that a little chance may lead to great results, and so he neglects +none of the little chances." + +"I don't understand you," said Robert, puzzled. + +The Onondaga bent over a bush and showed where a twig had been cut off. + +"See the wound made by his knife," he said, "and look! here is another on a +bush farther on. Both wounds are partly healed, showing that the cut of the +knife was made several days ago. It occurred to the Great Bear that we +might strike his trail some time or other, and when he came to the stony +uplift upon which his moccasins would leave no sign, he made traces +elsewhere. He knew the chance of our ever seeing them was slight, and he +may have made thousands of other traces that we never will see, but the +possibility that we would see some one of the many became a probability." + +"As you present it, it seems simple, Tayoga, but what an infinity of pains +he must have taken!" + +"The Great Bear is that kind of a man." + +The hard, rocky ground extended several miles and their progress over it +was, of necessity, very slow, as Tayoga was compelled to look with extreme +care for the signs the hunter might have left. He found the cut twigs five +times and twice footprints where softer soil existed between the rocks, +making the proofs conclusive to both, and when they emerged into a normal +region beyond they picked up his defined and clear trail once more. + +"I shall be glad to see the Great Bear," said the Onondaga, "and I think he +will be as pleased to know certainly that we are alive as we are to be +assured that he is." + +"He'd never desert us, and if you hadn't come to the Indian village I think +he'd have done so later on." + +"The Great Bear is a man such as few men are. Now, his trail leads on, +straight and bold. He took no trouble to hide it, which proves that he had +friends in this region, and was not afraid to be followed. Here he sat on a +fallen log and rested a while." + +"How do you know that, Tayoga?" + +"See the prints in front of the log. They were made by the heels of his +moccasins only. He tilted his feet up until they rested merely on the +heels. The Great Bear could not have been in that attitude while standing. +Nay, there is more. The Great Bear sat down here not to rest but to think." + +"It's just supposition with you, Tayoga." + +"It is not supposition at all, Dagaeoga, it is certainty. Look, several +little pieces of the bark on the dead log where the Great Bear sat, are +picked off. Here are the places from which they were taken, and here are +the fragments themselves lying on the ground. The Great Bear must have been +thinking very hard and he must have been in great doubt to have had uneasy +hands, because, as you and I know, Dagaeoga, his mind and nerves are of the +calmest." + +"What, then, do you think was on his mind?" + +"He was undecided whether to go on towards Oneadatote or to turn back and +seek us anew. Here are three or four traces, a short and detached trail +leading in the direction from which we have come. Then the traces suddenly +turn. He sat down again and thought it over a second time." + +"You can't possibly know that he resumed his seat on the log!" + +"Oh, yes, I can, Dagaeoga. I wish all that we had to see was as easy, +because here is the second place on the log where he picked at the bark. +Mighty as the Great Bear is he cannot sit in two places at once. Not +Tododaho himself could do that." + +"It's conclusive, and I find here at the end of the log his trail, leading +on toward the east." + +"And he went fast, because the distance between his footprints lengthens. +But he did not do so long. He became very slow suddenly. The space between +the footprints shortens all at once. He turned aside, too, from his course, +and crept through the bushes toward the south." + +"How do you know that he crept?" + +"Because for many steps he rested his weight wholly on his toes. The traces +show it very clearly. The Great Bear was stalking something, and it was not +a foe." + +"That, at least, is supposition, Tayoga." + +"Not supposition, Dagaeoga, and while not absolute certainty it is a great +probability. The toeprints lead straight toward the tiny little lake that +you see shining through the foliage. It was game and not a foe that the +Great Bear was seeking. He wished to shoot a wild fowl. Look, the edge of +the lake here is low, and the tender water grasses grow to a distance of +several yards from the shore. It is just the place where wild ducks or wild +geese would be found, and the Great Bear secured the one he wanted. If you +will look closely, Dagaeoga, you will see the faint trace of blood on the +grass. Blood lasts a long time. Manitou has willed that it should be so, +because it is the life fluid of his creatures. It was a wild goose that the +Great Bear shot." + +"And why not a wild duck?" + +"Because here are two of the feathers, and even Dagaeoga knows they are +the feathers of a goose and not of a duck. It was, too, the fattest goose +in the flock." + +"Which you have no possible way of knowing, Tayoga." + +"But I do, Dagaeoga. It was the fattest goose of the flock, because the +fattest goose of the flock was the one that so wise and skillful a hunter +as the Great Bear would, as a matter of course, select and kill. Learn, O, +Dagaeoga, to trail with your mind as well as with your eye, and ear. The +day may come when the white man will equal the red man in intellect, but it +is yet far off. The Great Bear was very, very hungry, and we shall soon +reach the place where he cleaned and cooked his goose." + +"Come, come, Tayoga! You may draw good conclusions from what you see, but +there are no prophets nowadays. You don't know anything about the state of +Dave's appetite, when he shot that goose, and you can't predict with +certainty that we'll soon come to the place where he made it ready for the +eating." + +"I cannot, Dagaeoga! Why, I am doing it this very instant. Mind! Mind! Did +I not tell you to use your mind? O, Dagaeoga, when will you learn the +simpler things of life? The Great Bear would not have risked a shot at a +wild goose in enemy country, if he had not been very hungry. Otherwise he +would have waited until he rejoined the rangers to obtain food. And, having +risked his shot, and having obtained his goose, which was the fattest in +the flock, he became hungrier than ever. And having risked so much he was +willing to risk more in order to complete the task he had undertaken, +without which the other risks that he had run would have been all in vain." + +"Tayoga, I can almost believe that you have your dictionary with you in +your knapsack." + +"Not in my knapsack, Dagaeoga, but in my head, where yours also ought to +be. Ah, here is where the Great Bear began to make preparations to cook his +goose! His trail wanders back and forth. He was looking for fallen wood to +build the fire. And there, in the little sink between the hills, was where +he built it. Even you, Dagaeoga, can see the ashes and burnt ends of +sticks. The Great Bear must have been as hungry as a wolf to have eaten a +whole goose, and the fattest goose of the flock, too. How do I know he ate +it all? Look in the grass and leaves and you will find enough bones to make +the complete frame of a goose, and every bone is picked clean. Wild animals +might have gleaned on them, you say? No. Here is the trail of a wolf that +came to the dip after the Great Bear had gone, drawn by the savory odors, +but he turned back. He never really entered the dip. Why? When he stood at +the edge his acute and delicate senses told him no meat was left on the +bones, and a wolf neither makes idle exertion, nor takes foolish risk. He +went back at once. And if the wolf had not come, there is another reason +why I knew the Great Bear ate all the goose. He would not have thrown away +any of the bones with flesh still on them. He is too wise a man to waste. +He would have taken with him what was left of the goose. Having finished +his most excellent dinner, the Great Bear looked for a brook." + +"Why a brook?" + +"Because he was thirsty. Everyone is thirsty after a heavy meal. He turned +to the right, as the ground slopes down in that direction. Even you, +Dagaeoga, know that one is more likely to find a brook in a valley than on +a hilltop. Here is the brook, a fine, clear little stream with a sandy +bottom, and here is where the Great Bear knelt and drank of the cool water. +The prints of his strong knees show like carving on a wall. Finding that he +was still thirsty he came back for another drink, because the second prints +are a little distance from the first. + +"Then, after rejoicing over the tender goose and his renewed strength, he +suddenly became very cautious. The danger from the warriors, which he had +forgotten or overlooked in his hunger, returned in acute form to his mind. +He came to the brook a third time, but not to drink. He intended to wade in +the stream that he might hide his trail, which, as you well know, Dagaeoga, +is the oldest and best of all forest devices for such purposes. How many +millions of times must the people of the wilderness have used it! + +"Now the Great Bear had two ways to go in the water, up the stream or down +the stream, and you and I, Dagaeoga, think he went down the stream, because +the current leads on the whole eastward, which was the way in which he +wished to go. At least, we will choose that direction and I will take one +side of the bank and you the other." + +They followed the brook more than a mile with questing eyes, and Tayoga +detected the point at which Willet had emerged, plunging anew into the +forest. + +"Warriors, if they had picked up his trail, could have followed the brook +as we did," said Robert. + +"Of course," said Tayoga, "but the object of the Great Bear was not so much +to hide his flight as to gain time. While we went slowly, looking for the +emergence of his trail, he went fast. Now I think he meant to spend the +night in the woods alone. The rangers must still have been far away. If +they had been near he would not have felt the need of throwing off possible +pursuit." + +They followed the dim traces several hours, and then Tayoga announced with +certainty that the hunter had slept alone in the forest, wrapped in his +blanket. + +"He crept into this dense clump of bushes," he said, "and lay within their +heart, sheltered and hidden by them. You, Dagaeoga, can see where his +weight has pressed them down. Why, here is the outline of a human body +almost as clear and distinct as if it were drawn with black ink upon white +paper! And the Great Bear slept well, too. The bushes are not broken or +shoved aside except in the space merely wide enough to contain his frame. +Perhaps the goose was so very tender and his nerves and tissues had craved +it so much that they were supremely happy when he gave it to them. That is +why they rested so well. + +"In the morning the Great Bear resumed his journey toward the east. He had +no breakfast and doubtless he wished for another goose, but he was +refreshed and he was very strong. The traces are fainter than they were, +because the Great Bear was so vigorous that his feet almost spurned the +earth." + +"Don't you think, Tayoga, that he'll soon turn aside again to hunt? So +strong a man as Dave won't go long without food, especially when the forest +is full of it. We've noticed everywhere that the war has caused the game to +increase greatly in numbers." + +"It will depend upon the position of the force to which the Great Bear +belongs. If it is near he will not seek game, waiting for food until he +rejoins the rangers, but if they are distant he will look for a deer or +another goose, or maybe a duck. But by following we will see what he did. +It cannot be hidden from us. The forest has few secrets from those who are +born in it. Ah, what is this? The Great Bear hid in a bush, and he leaped +suddenly! Behold the distance between the footprints! He saw something that +alarmed him. It may have been a war party passing, and of which he suddenly +caught sight. If so we can soon tell." + +A hundred yards beyond the clump of bushes they found a broad trail, +indicating that at least twenty warriors had gone by, their line of march +leading toward the southeast. + +"They were in no hurry," said the Onondaga, "as they had no fear of +enemies. Their steps are irregular, showing that sometimes they stopped and +talked. Doubtless they meant to join Montcalm, but as they can travel much +faster than an army they were taking their time about it. We will now +return to the bushes in which the Great Bear lay hidden while he watched. +The traces of his footsteps in the heart of the clump are much deeper than +usual, which proves that he stood there quite a while. It is also another +proof that the warriors stopped and talked when they were near him, else he +would not have remained in the clump so long. It is likely, too, that the +Great Bear followed them when they resumed their journey. Yes, here is his +trail leading from the bushes. But it is faint, the Great Bear was stepping +lightly and here is where it merges with the trail of the warriors. He +could not have been more than three or four hundred yards behind them. The +Great Bear was very bold, or else they were very careless. He will not +follow them long, as he merely wishes to get a general idea of their +course, it being his main object to rejoin the rangers." + +"And at this point he turned away from their trail," said Robert, after +they had followed it about a mile. "He is now going due east, and his +traces lead on so straight that he must have known exactly where he +intended to go." + +"Stated with much correctness," said Tayoga in his precise school English. +"Dagaeoga is taking to heart my assertion that the mind is intended for +human use, and he is beginning to think a little. But we shall have to stop +soon for a while, because the night comes. We, too, will sleep in the heart +of the bushes as the Great Bear did." + +"And glad am I to stop," said Robert. "My burden of buffalo robe and deer +and arms and ammunition is beginning to weigh on me. A buffalo robe doesn't +seem of much use on a warm, summer day, but it is such a fine one and you +took so much trouble to get it for me, Tayoga, that I haven't had the heart +to abandon it." + +"It is well that you have brought it, in spite of its weight," said the +Onondaga, "as the night, at this height, is sure to be cold, and the robe +will envelop you in its warmth. See, the dark comes fast." + +The sun sank behind the forest, and the twilight advanced, the deeper dusk +following in its trail, a cold wind began to blow out of the north, and +Robert, as Tayoga had predicted, was thankful now that he had retained the +buffalo robe, despite its weight. He wrapped it around his body and sat on +a blanket in a thicket. Tayoga, by his side, used his two blankets in a +similar manner, and they ate of the deer which they had had the forethought +to cook, and make ready for all times. + +The dusk deepened into the thick dark, and the night grew colder, but they +were warm and at ease. Robert was full of courage and hope. The elements +and all things had served them so much that he was quite sure they would +succeed in everything they undertook. By and by, he stretched himself on +the blanket, and clothed from head to foot in the great robe he slept the +deep sleep of one who had toiled hard and well. An hour later Tayoga also +slept, but in another hour he awoke and sat up, listening with all the +marvelous powers of hearing that nature and cultivation had given him. + +Something was stirring in the thicket, not any of the wild animals, big or +little, but a human being, and Tayoga knew the chances were a hundred to +one that it was a hostile human being. He put his ear to the earth and the +sound came more clearly. Now his wonderful gifts of intuition and forest +reasoning told him what it was. Slowly he rose again, cleared himself of +the blankets, and put his rifle upon them. Then, loosening the pistol in +his belt, but drawing his long hunting knife, he crept from the thicket. + +Tayoga, despite his thorough white education and his constant association +with white comrades, was always an Indian first. Now, as he stole from the +thicket in the dark, knife in hand, he was the very quintessence of a great +warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great +League of the Hodenosaunee. He was what his ancestors had been for +unnumbered generations, a primeval son of the wilderness, seeking the life +of the enemy who came seeking his. + +He kept to his hands and knees, and made no sound as he advanced, but at +intervals he dropped his ear to the ground, and heard the faint rustling +that was drawing nearer. He decided that it was a single warrior who by +some chance had struck their trail in the dusk, and who, with minute pains +and with slowness but certainty, was following it. + +His course took him about thirty yards among the bushes and then through +high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also +helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving +slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth +and went on, sure that bold means would be best. + +The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he +was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga +snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a +Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an +enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so +close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside, +and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a +sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors +swelling in fierce triumph. + +But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which +was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry +that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much +farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the +forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly +back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a +curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened. + +Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not +stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any +sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was +none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and +clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the +bushes. + +"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said. + +"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga. + +"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night." + +"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?" + +"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more." + +"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a +brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without +it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't +wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or +duck this morning." + +"But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the +goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk." + +"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be +accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll +keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads +of whom they will not pass." + +"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning." + +"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of +the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low +ground over there." + +He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to +the left--the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the +right--and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he +found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they +left the lair in the bushes. + +"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a +floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the +night." + +"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another +night comes you will need it as before." + +They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, +expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course. + +"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and +the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not +last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the +little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region." + +In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a +duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, +and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there +some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that +they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping +that they would soon overtake him. + +But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night +spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far +ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they +approached the shores of Champlain. + +"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert. + +"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +READING THE SIGNS + +On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and +Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the +evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake +Champlain. + +"It seems likely to me," said the Onondaga, "that he left the rangers to +seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward. Having learned in +some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers +wherever they may go." + +"And we will follow him wherever he goes," said Robert. + +An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the +trail. Another man coming from the south had joined Willet. The traces were +quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of +the footsteps that the stranger was white. + +"A wandering hunter or trapper? A chance meeting?" said Robert. + +Tayoga shook his head. + +"Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to +join Rogers?" + +"Wrong in both cases," he said. "I know who joined the Great Bear, as well +as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made. It was not a +wandering hunter and it was not a ranger. You will notice, Dagaeoga, that +these traces are uncommonly large. They are not slender like the footprints +of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long. Why, I should know anywhere +in the world what feet made them. Think, Dagaeoga!" + +"I don't seem to recall." + +"Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on +the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all +these also. A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer +them. You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both +in battle. Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!" + +"Black Rifle!" + +"None other. It is far north for him, but he has come, and he and the Great +Bear were glad to see each other. Here they stood and shook hands." + +"There is not a possible sign to indicate such a thing." + +"Only the certain rules of logic. Once again I bid you use your mind. We +see with it oftener than with the eye. White men, when they are good +friends and meet after a long absence, always shake hands. So my mind tells +me with absolute certainty that the Great Bear and Black Rifle did so. Then +they talked together a while. Now the eye tells me, because here are +footsteps in a little group that says so, and then they walked on, +fearless of attack. It is an easy trail to follow." + +He announced in a half hour that they were about to enter an old camp of +the two men. + +"Any child of the Hodenosaunee could tell that it is so," he said, "because +their trails now separate. Black Rifle turns off to the right, and the +Great Bear goes to the left. We will follow Black Rifle first. He wandered +about apparently in aimless fashion, but he had a purpose nevertheless. He +was looking for firewood. We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, +because his object was surely the same. They were so confident of their +united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the +coldness of the night. Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary +for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both. The fact that the +Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it. + +"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on +the crest of which the bushes grow so thick. Once more it is mind and not +eye that tells me so, Dagaeoga. They would build a fire near because they +had begun to look for firewood, which is always plentiful in the forest, +and they would surely choose the dip which lies beyond the hill, because +the circling ridge with its frieze of bushes would hide the flames. +Although sure of their strength they did not neglect caution." + +They passed over the hill, and found the dead embers of the fire. + +"After they had built it Black Rifle sat on that side and the Great Bear +on this," said Tayoga, "and while they were getting it ready the Great Bear +concluded to add something on his own account to the supper." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga? Is this mind or eye?" + +"A combination of the two. The Great Bear is a wonderful marksman, as we +know, and while sitting on the log that he had drawn up before the fire, he +shot his game out of the tall oak on our right." + +"This is neither eye nor mind, Tayoga, it is just fancy." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is mostly eye, though helped by mind. My conclusion that +he was sitting, when he pulled the trigger is mind chiefly. He would not +have drawn up the log unless he had been ready to sit down, and everything +was complete for the supper. The Great Bear never rests until his work is +done, and he is so marvelous with the rifle that it was not necessary for +him to rise when he fired. Wilderness life demands so much of the body that +the Great Bear never makes needless exertion. There mind works, Dagaeoga, +but the rest is all eye. The squirrel was on the curved bough of the oak, +the one that projects toward the north." + +"You assume a good deal to say that it was a squirrel and surely mind not +eye would select the particular bough on which he sat." + +"No, Dagaeoga, eye served the whole purpose. All the other branches are +almost smothered in leaves, but the curved one is nearly bare. It is only +there that the casual glance of the Great Bear, who was not at that time +seeking game, would have caught sight of the squirrel. Also, he must have +been there, otherwise his body could not have fallen directly beneath it, +when the bullet went through his head." + +"Now tell me how your eye knows his body fell from the bough." + +"Ah, Dagaeoga! Your eye was given to you for use as mine was given to me, +then you should use it; in the forest you are lost unless you do. It was my +eye that saw the unmistakable sign, the sign from which all the rest +followed. Look closely and you will detect a little spot of red on the +grass just beneath the bare bough. It was blood from the squirrel." + +"You cannot be sure that it was a squirrel. It might have been a pigeon or +some other bird." + +"That, O, Dagaeoga, would be the easiest of all, even for you, if you could +only use your eyes, as I bid you. Almost at your feet lies a slender bone +that cannot be anything but the backbone of a squirrel. Beyond it are two +other bones, which came from the same body. We know as certainly that it +was a squirrel as we know that the Great Bear ate first a wild goose, and +then a wild duck. But it is a good camp that those two great men made, and, +as the night is coming, we will occupy it." + +They relighted the abandoned fire, warmed their food and ate, and Robert +was once more devoutly glad that he had kept the heavy buffalo robe. Deep +fog came over the mountain soon after dark, and, after a while, a fine +cold, and penetrating rain was shed from the heart of it. They kept the +fire burning and wrapped, Tayoga in his blankets, and, Robert in the robe, +crouched before it. Then they drew the logs that the Great Bear and Black +Rifle had left, in such position that they could lean their backs against +them, and slept, though not the two at the same time. They agreed that it +was wise to keep watch and Robert was sentinel first. + +Tayoga, supported by the log, slept soundly, the flames illuminating his +bronze face and showing the very highest type of the Indian. Robert sat +opposite, his rifle across his knees, but covered by his blanket to protect +it from the fine rain, which was not only cold but insidious, trying to +insert itself beneath his clothing and chill his body. But he kept himself +covered so well that none reached him, and the very wildness of his +surroundings increased his sense of intense physical comfort. + +He did not stir, except now and then to put a fresh chunk of wood on the +fire, and the red blaze between Tayoga and himself was for a time the +center of the world. The cold, white fog was rolling up everywhere thick +and impenetrable, and the fine rain, like a heavy dew that was distilled +from it, fell incessantly. Robert knew that it was moving up the valleys +and clothing all the peaks and ridges. He knew, too, that it would hide +them from their enemies and his sense of comfort grew with the knowledge. +But his conviction that they were safe did not make him relax caution, and, +since eye was useless in the fog, he made extreme call upon ear. + +It seemed to him that the fog was a splendid conductor of sound. It brought +him the rustling of the foliage, the moaning of the light wind through the +ravines, and, at last, another sound, sharp, distinct, a discordant note in +the natural noises of the wilderness, which were always uniform and +harmonious. He heard it a second time, to his right, down the hill, and he +was quite sure that it indicated the presence of man, man who in reality +was near, but whom the fog took far away. The vapors, however, would lift, +then man might come close, and he felt that it was his part to discover who +and what he was. + +Still wrapped in the buffalo robe, he rose and took a few steps from the +fire. Tayoga did not stir, and he was proud that his tread had been without +noise. Beyond the rim of firelight, he paused and listening again heard the +clank twice, not very loud but coming sharp and definite as before through +the vapory air. He parted the bushes very carefully and went down the side +of a ravine, the wet boughs and twigs making no noise as they closed up +after his passage. + +But his progress was very slow, purposely so, as he knew that any mistake +or accident might be fatal, and he intended that no fault of his should +precipitate such a crisis. Once or twice he thought of going back, deeming +his a foolish quest, lost in a wilderness of bushes and blinding fog, but +the sharp, clear clank stirred his purpose anew, and he went on down the +slope, until he saw a red glow in the heart of the fog. Then he sank down +among the bushes and listened with intentness. Presently the faint hum of +voices came to his ear, and he was quite sure that many men were not far +away. + +He resumed his slow advance, but now he was glad the bushes were soaked +with water, as they did not crackle or snap with the passage of his body, +and the luminous glow in front of him broadened and deepened steadily. Near +the bottom of a deep valley he stopped and from his covert saw where great +fires had driven the fog away. Around the fires were many warriors, some of +them sleeping in their blankets, while others were eating prodigiously, +after their manner. Rifles and muskets were stacked in French fashion and +the clank, clank that Robert had heard had been made by the warriors as +they put up their weapons. + +Many were talking freely and seemed to rejoice in the food and fires. It +was Robert's surmise that they had arrived but recently and were weary. +Their numbers were large, they certainly could not be less than four or +five hundred, and his experience was great enough now to tell him that half +of them, at least, were Canadian Indians. All were in war paint, and they +had an abundance of arms. + +Robert's eager eye sought Tandakora, but did not find him. He had no doubt, +however, that this great body of warriors was moving against Rogers and his +rangers, and that it would soon be joined by the Ojibway chief. Tandakora, +anxious for revenge upon the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf, would be +willing to leave Montcalm for a while if he thought that by doing so he +could achieve his purpose. His gaze wandered from the warriors to the +stacked rifles and muskets, and he saw that many of them were of English +or American make, undoubtedly spoil taken at the capture of Oswego. His +heart swelled with anger that the border should have its own weapons turned +against it by the foe. + +It did not take him long to see enough. It was a powerful force, equipped +to strike, and now he was more anxious than ever to overtake Willet. The +fog was still thick and wet, distilling the fine rain, but he had forgotten +discomfort, and, turning back on his path, he sought the dip in which he +had left Tayoga sleeping. He felt a certain pride that it had been his +fortune to discover the band, and, as he had marked carefully the way by +which he had come, it was not a difficult task to retrace his steps. + +The Onondaga was still sleeping, his back against the log, but he awoke +instantly when Robert touched him gently on the shoulder. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he whispered. "You have seen something! Your face +tells me so!" + +"My face tells you the truth," replied Robert. "There is a valley only a +few hundred yards from us, and, in it, are about four hundred warriors, +armed for battle. All the signs indicate that they are going eastward in +search of our friends." + +"You have done well, Dagaeoga. You have used both eye and mind. Was +Tandakora there?" + +"No, but I'm convinced he soon will be." + +"It appears likely. They think, perhaps, they are strong enough to +annihilate the rangers." + +"Maybe they are, unless the rangers are warned. We ought to move at once." + +"But the fog is too thick. We could not tell which way we were going. We +must not lose the trail of the Great Bear and Black Rifle, and, if the fog +lifts, we can regain it in the morning, going ahead of the war band." + +"And then the warriors may pursue us." + +"What does it matter, if we keep well ahead of them and overtake the Great +Bear and Black Rifle, who are surely going toward the rangers? We will put +out the fire, Dagaeoga, and stay here. The fog protects us. Now, you sleep +and I will watch." + +His calmness was reassuring, and it was true that the fog was an almost +certain protection, while it lasted. They smothered the fire carefully, and +then, Robert was sufficient master of his nerves, to go to sleep, wrapped +in the invaluable buffalo robe. The Onondaga kept vigilant watch. His own +ear, too, heard the occasional sound made by human beings in the valley +below, but he did not stir from his place. He had absolute confidence in +Robert's report, and he would not take any unnecessary risk. + +An hour or two before dawn a wind began to rise, and Tayoga knew by feeling +rather than sight that the fog was beginning to thin. If the wind held, it +would all blow away by sunrise, and the rain with it. He awakened Robert at +once. + +"I think we would better move now," he said. "We shall soon be able to see +our way, and a good start ahead of the war band is important." + +They made a northward curve, passing around the valley, in which the camp +of the warriors lay, and, when the sun showed its first luminous edge over +the horizon, they were several miles ahead. The steady wind had carried all +the fog and rain to the southward, but the forest was still wet and +dripping. + +"And now," said Tayoga, "we must pick up anew the trail of the Great Bear +and Black Rifle. We are sure they were continuing east, and by ranging back +and forth from north to south and from south to north we can find it." + +It was a full two hours before they discovered it, leading up a narrow +gorge, and Robert grew anxious lest the war band was already on their own +traces, which the warriors were sure to see in time. So they hastened their +own pursuit and very soon came to a thicket in which the two redoubtable +scouts had passed the night. The trail leading from it was comparatively +fresh and Tayoga was hopeful that they might overtake them before the next +sunset. + +"They do not hurry," he said. "The Great Bear has been telling Black Rifle +of us, and now and then it was their thought to go back into the west to +make another hunt for us. My certainty about it is based on nothing in the +trail. It is just mind once more. It is exactly the idea that a valiant and +patient man like the Great Bear would have, and it would appeal too, to the +soul of such a great warrior as Black Rifle. But after thinking well upon +it, they have decided that the search would be vain for the present, and +once more they go on, though the wish to find us puts weights on their +feet." + +Before noon they came to a place where Black Rifle shot a deer. The +useless portions of the body that the two had left behind spoke a language +none could fail to understand, and they were sure it was Black Rifle who +had fired the shot, because his broader footprints led to the place where +the body had fallen. + +"It proves," said Tayoga, "that the rangers are still well ahead, else two +such wise men as the Great Bear and Black Rifle would not take the trouble +to kill a deer here and carry so much weight with them. It is likely that +the Mountain Wolf and his men are on the shores of Oneadatote itself." + +All that afternoon the trail went upward higher and higher among the ranges +and peaks, but the infallible eye of Tayoga never lost it for a moment. + +"We will not overtake them today, as I had hoped," he said, "but we shall +certainly do so tomorrow before noon." + +"And the coming night is going to offer a striking contrast to the one just +passed," said Robert. "It will be crystal clear." + +"So it will, Dagaeoga, and we will seek a camp among the rocks. It is best +to leave no traces for the warriors." + +They traveled a long distance on the stony uplift before they stopped for +the night, and they did not build any fire, dividing the time into two +watches, each kept with great vigilance. But the pursuit which they were so +sure was now on did not overtake them, and early in the morning they were +once more on the traces of the two hunters. + +"It is now sure we shall reach them before noon," said Tayoga, "but in +what manner we shall first see them I do not know. The trail has become +wonderfully fresh. Ah, they turned suddenly from their course here, and +soon they came back to it, at a point not more than ten feet away. We need +not follow them on their loop to see where they went. We know without +going. They climbed the steep little peak we see on the right, from the +crest of which they had a splendid view over an immense stretch of country +behind us. They looked in that direction because that was the point from +which pursuit or danger would come. The band behind us built a fire, and +the Great Bear and Black Rifle saw its smoke. They saw the smoke because +they could see nothing else so far behind them. After a good look, they +went on at their leisure. They had no fear. It was easy for such as they to +leave the band well in the rear, if they wished." + +"If they haven't changed greatly since we last saw 'em," said Robert, +"they'll go all the more slowly because of the pursuit, and we may catch +'em in a couple of hours. Won't Dave be surprised when he sees us?" + +"It will be a pleasant surprise for him. Here, they have stopped again, and +one of them climbed the tall elm for another view, while the other stood +guard by the trunk. I think, Dagaeoga, that the Great Bear and Black Rifle +were beginning to think less of flight than of battle." + +"You don't mean that knowing the presence of the band behind us they +intended to meet it?" + +"Not to stop it, of course, but spirits such as theirs might have a desire +to harm it a little, and impede its advance. In any event, Dagaeoga, we +shall soon see. Here is where the climber came down, and then the two went +on, walking slowly. They walked slowly, because the traces indicate that +they turned back often, and looked toward the point at which they had seen +the smoke rising. My mind tells me that the Great Bear thought it better to +continue straight ahead, but that Black Rifle was anxious to linger, and +get a few shots at the enemy. It is so, because the Great Bear, as we know, +is naturally cautious and would wish to do what is of the most service in +the campaign, while it is always the desire of Black Rifle to injure the +enemy as much as he can." + +"Your reasoning seems conclusive to me." + +"Did I not tell you, Dagaeoga, that you had the beginnings of a mind? Use +it sedulously, and it will grow yet more." + +"And the time may come when I can talk out of a dictionary as you do, +Tayoga." + +"Which merely proves, Dagaeoga, that those who learn a language always talk +it better than those who are born to it. Ah, they have turned once more, +and the trail leads again to the crest of a hill, where they will take +another long look backward. It seems that the wishes of Black Rifle are +about to prevail. Now we are at the top of the hill, and they stood here +several minutes talking and moving about, as the traces show very clearly. +But look, Dagaeoga, they saw something very much closer at hand than smoke. +Their talk was interrupted with great suddenness, and they took to ambush. +They crouched among these bushes, and you and I know they were a very +dangerous pair with their rifles ready. Still, Dagaeoga, instead of their +taking the battle to the warriors the battle was brought to them." + +"You think, then, an encounter occurred?" + +"I know it. They did not stay crouched here until the enemy went away, but +moved off down the hill, their course on the whole leading away from the +lake. The enemy was before them, because they kept among the bushes, always +in the densest part of them. Here they knelt. The bent grass stems indicate +the pressure of knees. The warriors must have been very close. + +"Now the trail divides. Look, Dagaeoga! Black Rifle went to the right and +the Great Bear to the left. They formed a plan to flank the enemy and to +assail him from two sides. I should judge then that the warriors did not +number more than five or six. We will follow the Great Bear, who made the +slender traces, and if necessary we will come back and follow also those of +Black Rifle. But I think we can read the full account of the contest which +most certainly occurred from the evidence that the Great Bear left." + +"You feel quite sure then that there was fighting?" + +"Yes. It is not an opinion formed from the signs yet seen, but it is drawn +from the characters of the Great Bear and Black Rifle. They would not have +taken so much care unless there was the certainty of conflict. Here the +Great Bear knelt again, and took a long look at his enemy or at least at +the place where his enemy was lying. They were coming to close quarters or +he would not have knelt and waited. Perhaps he held his fire because Black +Rifle was making the wider circuit, and they meant to use their rifles at +the same time." + +The Onondaga was on his own knees now, examining the faint trail intently, +his eyes alight with interest. + +"The event will not be delayed long," he said, "because the Great Bear +stopped continually, seeking an opportunity for a shot. Here he pulled the +trigger." + +He picked up a minute piece of the burned wadding of the muzzle-loading +rifle. + +"The warrior at whom he fired was bound to have been in the thicket beyond +the open space," he said, "and it was there that he fell. He fell because +at such a critical time the Great Bear would not have fired unless he was +sure of his aim. We will look into the thicket" + +They found several spots of blood among the bushes and at another point +about twenty feet away they saw more. + +"Here is where the warrior fell before Black Rifle's bullet," said Tayoga. +"He and the Great Bear must have fired almost at the same time. Undoubtedly +the warriors retreated at once, carrying their dead with them. Let us see +if they did not unite, and leave the thicket at the farthest point from our +two friends." + +The trail was very clear at the place the Onondaga had indicated, and also +many more red spots were there leading away toward the east. + +"We will not follow them." said Tayoga, "because they do not interest us +any more. They have retreated and they do not longer enter into your +campaign and mine, Dagaeoga. We will go back and see where the left wing of +our army, that was the Great Bear, reunited with the right wing, that was +Black Rifle." + +They found the point of junction not far away, and then the deliberate +trail led once more toward Champlain, the two pursuing it several hours in +silence and both noticing that it was rapidly growing fresher. At length +Tayoga stopped on the crest of a ridge and said: + +"We no longer need to seek their trail, Dagaeoga, because I will now talk +with the Great Bear and Black Rifle." + +"Very good, Tayoga. I am anxious to hear what you will say and how you will +say it." + +A bird sang at Robert's side. It was Tayoga trilling forth a melody, +wonderfully clear and penetrating, a melody that carried far up the still +valley beyond. + +"You will remember, Dagaeoga," he said, "that we have often used this call +with the Great Bear. The reply will soon come." + +The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard. He owed much to Willet. +Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were +about to meet after a long parting. He never doubted for a moment that the +Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black +Rifle in the valley below them. + +Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled +the valley. When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as +before. The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of +the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them. The four did not say much, +but in every case the grasp of the hand was strong and long. + +"I went west in search of you, Robert," said the hunter, "but I was +compelled to come back, because of the great events that are forward here. +I felt, however, that Tayoga was there looking for you and would do all any +number of human beings could do." + +"He found me and rescued me," said Robert, "and what of yourself, Dave?" + +"I'm attached, for the present, to the rangers under Rogers. He's on the +shores of Champlain, and he's trying to hold back a big Indian army that +means to march south and join Montcalm for an attack on Fort William Henry +or Fort Edward." + +"And there's a great Indian war band behind you, too, Dave." + +"We know it. We saw their smoke. We also had an encounter with some +scouting warriors." + +"We know that, too, Dave. You ambushed 'em and divided your force, one of +you going to the right and the other to the left. Two of their warriors +fell before your bullets, and then they fled, carrying their slain with +them." + +"Correct to every detail. I suppose Tayoga read the signs." + +"He did, and he also told me when he rescued me that you had carried the +text of the letter we took from Garay to Colonel Johnson in time, and that +the force of St. Luc was turned back." + +"Yes, the preparations for defense made an attack by him hopeless, and +when his vanguard was defeated in the forest he gave up the plan." + +They did not stop long, as they knew the great war band behind them was +pressing forward, but they felt little fear of it, as they were able to +make high speed of their own, despite the weight of their packs, and for +several days and nights they traveled over peaks and ridges, stopping only +at short intervals for sleep. They had no sign from the band behind them, +but they knew it was always there, and that it would probably unite at the +lake with the force the rangers were facing. + +It was about noon of a gleaming summer day when Robert, from the crest of a +ridge, saw once more the vast sheet of water extending a hundred and +twenty-five miles north and south, that the Indians called Oneadatote and +the white men Champlain, and around which and upon which an adventurous +part of his own life had passed. His heart beat high, he felt now that the +stage was set again for great events, and that his comrades and he would, +as before, have a part in the war that was shaking the Old World as well as +the New. + +In the afternoon they met rangers and before night they were in the camp of +Rogers, which included about three hundred men, and which was pitched in a +strong position at the edge of the lake. The Mountain Wolf greeted them +with great warmth. + +"You're a redoubtable four," he said, "and I could wish that instead of +only four I was receiving four hundred like you." + +He showed intense anxiety, and soon confided his reasons to Willet. + +"You've brought me news," he said, "that a big war band is coming from the +west, and my scouts had told me already that a heavy force is to the +northward, and what is worst of all, the northern force is commanded by St. +Luc. It seems that he did not go south with Montcalm, but drew off an army +of both French and Indians for our destruction. He remembers his naval and +land defeat by us and naturally he wants revenge. He is helped, too, by the +complete command of the lake, that the French now hold. Since we've been +pressed southward we've lost Champlain." + +"And of course St. Luc is eager to strike," said Willet. "He can recover +his lost laurels and serve France at the same time. If we're swept away +here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada +upon the Province of New York." + +Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the +repose that he needed so badly. He had brought with him some remnants of +food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so +much danger from the Indian village. Now he put down the robe, heaved a +mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga: + +"I'm proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I've had enough. I'm +glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake +Champlain." + +"And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe." + +"So it is. I should be the last to deny it, but now that we're with the +rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition. To appreciate +what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them." + +The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the +present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they +commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach. They +rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the +wilderness. + +"It's almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this," said +Robert, swimming with strong strokes. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid," said the Onondaga, "but see that you do +not swim too far. Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio. +We had it, but we have lost it." + +"Then we'll get it back again," said Robert courageously. "Champlain is too +fine a lake to lose forever. Wait until I've had a big sleep. Then my brain +will be clear, and I'll tell how it ought to be done." + +The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +ST. LUC'S REVENGE + +When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that +the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed. Rogers was in close +conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a +small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or +west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was +expected. Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know +it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, +and now including the western band, was very near. It was the burden of +their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom +one-third were French or Canadians. + +Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and +Robert joined him. The face of the young Onondaga was very grave. + +"You look for an early battle, I suppose," said Robert. + +"Yes, Dagaeoga," replied his comrade, "and it will be fought with the odds +heavily against us. I think the Mountain Wolf should not have awaited Sharp +Sword here, but who am I to give advice to a leader, so able and with so +much experience?" + +"But we beat St. Luc once in a battle by a lake!" + +"Then we had a fleet, and, for the time, at least, we won command of the +lake. Now the enemy is supreme on Oneadatote. If we have any canoes on its +hundred and twenty-five miles of length they are lone and scattered, and +they stay in hiding near its shores." + +"Why are you watching its waters now so intently, Tayoga?" + +"To see the sentinels of the foe, when they come down from the north. Sharp +Sword is too great a general not to use all of his advantages in battle. He +will advance by water as well as by land, but, first he will use his eyes, +before he permits his hand to strike. Do you see anything far up the lake, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Only the sunlight on the waters." + +"Yes, that is all. I believed, for a moment or two, that I saw a black dot +there, but it was only my fancy creating what I expected my sight to +behold. Let us look again all around the horizon, where it touches the +water, following it as we would a line. Ah, I think I see a dark speck, +just a black mote at this distance, and I am still unable to separate fancy +from fact, but it may be fact. What do you think, Dagaeoga?" + +"My thought has not taken shape yet, Tayoga, but if 'tis fancy then 'tis +singularly persistent. I see the black mote too, to the left, toward the +western shore of the lake, is it not?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, that is where it is. If we are both the victims of fancy +then our illusions are wonderfully alike. Think you that we would imagine +exactly the same thing at exactly the same place?" + +"No, I don't! And as I live, Tayoga, the mote is growing larger! It takes +on the semblance of reality, and, although very far from us, it's my belief +that it's moving this way!" + +"Again my fancy is the same as yours and it is not possible that they +should continue exactly alike through all changes. That which may have been +fancy in the beginning has most certainly turned into fact, and the black +mote that we see upon the waters is in all probability a hostile canoe +coming to spy upon us." + +They watched the dark dot detach itself from the horizon and grow +continuously until their eyes told them, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that +it was a canoe containing two warriors. It was moving swiftly and presently +Rogers and Willet came to look at it. The two warriors brought their light +craft on steadily, but stopped well out of rifle shot, where they let their +paddles rest and gazed long at the shore. + +"It is like being without a right arm to have no force upon the lake," said +Rogers. + +"It cripples us sorely," said Willet. "Perhaps we'd better swallow our +pride, bitter though the medicine may be, and retreat at speed." + +"I can't do it," said Rogers. "I'm here to hold back St. Luc, if I can, and +moreover, 'tis too late. We'd be surrounded in the forest and probably +annihilated." + +"I suppose you're right. We'll meet him where we stand, and when the +battle is over, whatever may be its fortunes, he'll know that he had a real +fight." + +They walked away from the lake, and began to arrange their forces to the +most advantage, but Robert and Tayoga remained on the cliff. They saw the +canoe go back toward the north, melt into the horizon line, and then +reappear, but with a whole brood of canoes. All of them advanced rapidly, +and they stretched into a line half way across the lake. Many were great +war canoes, containing eight or ten men apiece. + +"Now the attack by land is at hand," said Tayoga. "Sharp Sword is sure to +see that his two forces move forward at the same time. Hark!" + +They heard the report of a rifle shot in the forest, then another and +another. Willet joined them and said it was the wish of Rogers that they +remain where they were, as a small force was needed at that point to +prevent a landing by the Indians. A fire from the lake would undoubtedly be +opened upon their flank, but if the warriors could be kept in their canoes +it could not become very deadly. Black Rifle came also, and he, Willet, +Robert, Tayoga and ten of the rangers lying down behind some trees at the +edge of the cliff, watched the water. + +The Indian fleet hovered a little while out of rifle shot. Meanwhile the +firing in the forest grew. Bullets from both sides pattered on leaves and +bark, and the shouts of besieged and besiegers mingled, but the members of +the force on the cliff kept their eyes resolutely on the water. + +"The canoes are moving again," said Tayoga. "They are coming a little +nearer. I see Frenchmen in some of them and presently they will try to +sweep the bank with their rifles." + +"Our bullets will carry as far as theirs," said the hunter. + +"True, O, Great Bear, and perhaps with surer aim." + +In another moment puffs of white smoke appeared in the fleet, which was +swinging forward in a crescent shape, and Robert heard the whine of lead +over his head. Then Willet pulled the trigger and a warrior fell from his +canoe. Black Rifle's bullet sped as true, and several of the rangers also +found their targets. Yet the fleet pressed the attack. Despite their +losses, the Indians did not give back, the canoes came closer and closer, +many of the warriors dropped into the water behind their vessels and fired +from hiding, bullets rained around the little band on the cliff, and +presently struck among them. Two of the rangers were slain and two more +were wounded. Robert saw the Frenchmen in the fleet encouraging the +Indians, and he knew that their enemies were firing at the smoke made by +the rifles of the defenders. Although he and his comrades were invisible to +the French and Indians in the fleet, the bullets sought them out +nevertheless. Wounds were increasing and another of the rangers was killed. +Theirs was quickly becoming an extremely hot corner. + +But Willet, who commanded at that point, gave no order to retreat. He and +all of his men continued to fire as fast as they could reload and take aim. +Yet to choose a target became more difficult, as the firing from the fleet +made a great cloud of smoke about it, in which the French and Indians were +hidden, or, at best, were but wavering phantoms. Robert's excited +imagination magnified them fivefold, but he had no thought of shirking the +battle, and he crept to the very brink, seeking something at which to fire +in the clouds of smoke that were steadily growing larger and blacker. + +The foes upon the lake fought mostly in silence, save for the crackle of +their rifles, but Robert became conscious presently of a great shouting +behind him. In his concentration upon their own combat he had forgotten the +main battle; but now he realized that it was being pressed with great fury +and upon a half circle from the north and west. He looked back and saw that +the forest was filled with smoke pierced by innumerable red flashes; the +rattle of the rifles there made a continuous crash, and then he heard a +tremendous report, followed by a shout of dismay from the rangers. + +"What is it?" he cried. "What is it?" + +Willet, who was crouched near him, turned pale, but he replied in a steady +voice. + +"St. Luc has brought a field piece, a twelve-pounder, I think, and they've +opened fire with grape-shot. They'll sweep the whole forest. Who'd have +thought it?" + +The battle sank for a moment, and then a tremendous yell of triumph came +from the Indians. Presently, the cannon crashed again, and its deadly +charge of grape took heavy toll of the rangers. Then the lake and the +mountains gave back the heavy boom of the gun in many echoes, and it was +like the toll of doom. The Indians on both water and shore began to shout +in the utmost fury, and Robert detected the note of triumph in the +tremendous volume of sound. His heart went down like lead. Rogers crept +back to Willet and the two talked together earnestly. + +"The cannon changes everything," said the leader of the rangers. "More than +twenty of my men are dead, and nearly twice as many are wounded. 'Tis +apparent they have plenty of grape, and they are sending it like hail +through the forest. The bushes are no shelter, as it cuts through 'em. +Dave, old comrade, what do you think?" + +"That St. Luc is about to have his revenge for the defeat we gave him at +Andiatarocte. The cannon with its grape turns the scale. They come on with +uncommon fury! It seems to me I hear a thousand rifles all together." + +St. Luc now pressed the attack from every side save the south. The French +and Indians in the fleet redoubled their fire. The twelve-pounder was +pushed forward, and, as fast as the expert French gunners could reload it, +the terrible charges of grape-shot were sent among the rangers. More were +slain or wounded. The little band of defenders on the high cliff +overlooking the lake at last found their corner too hot for them and were +compelled to join the main force. Then the French and Indians in the fleet +landed with shouts of triumph and rushed upon the Americans. + +Robert caught glimpses of other Frenchmen as he faced the forest. Once an +epaulet showed behind a bush and then a breadth of tanned face which he was +sure belonged to De Courcelles. And so this man who had sought to make him +the victim of a deadly trick was here! And perhaps Jumonville also! A +furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, +but it disappeared. He crept a little farther forward, hoping for another +view, and Tayoga noticed his eager, questing gaze. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he asked. "Whom do you hate so much?" + +"I saw the French Colonel, De Courcelles, and I was seeking to draw a bead +on him, but he has gone." + +"Perhaps he has, but another takes his place. Look at the clump of bushes +directly in front of us and you will see a pale blue sleeve which beyond a +doubt holds the arm of a French officer. The arm cannot be far away from +the head and body, which I think we will see in time, if we keep on +looking." + +Both watched the bushes with a concentrated gaze and presently the head and +shoulders, following the arm, disclosed themselves. Robert raised his rifle +and took aim, but as he looked down the sights he saw the face among the +leaves, and a shudder shook him. He lowered his rifle. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" whispered the Onondaga. + +"The man I chose for my target," replied Robert, "was not De Courcelles, +nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonnière, who was so kind to us +in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull +trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life." + +"Is he still there?" + +Robert looked again and De Galissonnière was gone. He felt immense relief. +He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to +face in battle. + +The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the +rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and +muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers +was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been +exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded +so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades. + +They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and +holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving +rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all +the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly +than on that day. + +Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and +firing whenever he could secure a good aim. + +"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga. + +"No," replied the Onondaga. + +"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance." + +"He is here." + +"But you said you hadn't seen him." + +"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we +observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more +than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it +every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it +is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure." + +Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of +Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder +again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many +times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising +at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked +eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet +through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at +which to aim. + +Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled +with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so many +dangers, merely to take part in such a disaster? Unconsciously he began to +shout in an effort to encourage those with him, and although he did not +know it, it was a reply to the war cries of Tandakora. The smoke and the +odors of the burned gunpowder filled his nostrils and throat, and heated +his brain. Now and then he would stop his own shouting and listen for the +reply of Tandakora. Always it came, the ferocious note of the Ojibway +swelling and rising above the warwhoop of the other Indians. + +"Dagaeoga looks for Tandakora," said the Onondaga. + +"Truly, yes," replied Robert. "Just now it's my greatest wish in life to +find him with a bullet. I hear his voice almost continuously, but I can't +see him! I think the smoke hides him." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is not the smoke, it is Areskoui. I know it, because the +Sun God has whispered it in my ear. You will hear the voice of Tandakora +all through the battle, but you will not see him once." + +"Why should your Areskoui protect a man like Tandakora, who deserves death, +if anyone ever did?" + +"He protects him, today merely, not always. It is understood that I shall +meet Tandakora in the final reckoning. I told him so, when I was his +captive, and he struck me in the face. It was no will of mine that made me +say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them. So, I know, +O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now. His time is +not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks." + +Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and +his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a +prophet's. The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the +depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true. Then the +tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as +before, his body remained invisible. Tandakora's Indians, many of whom had +come with him from the far shores of the Great Lakes, showed all the +cunning and courage that made them so redoubtable in forest warfare. Armed +with good French muskets and rifles they crept forward among the thickets, +and poured in an unceasing fire. Encouraged by the success at Oswego, and +by the knowledge that the great St. Luc, the best of all the French +leaders, was commanding the whole force, their ferocity rose to the highest +pitch and it was fed also by the hope that they would destroy all the hated +and dreaded rangers whom they now held in a trap. + +Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds, +and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush, +and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed +boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before +the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal, +always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the +bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers. + +"It's a powerful attack," said Robert. + +"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because +they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded. +They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops." + +"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the +battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This +place is becoming too much exposed." + +They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they +could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely +missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed +closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by +hundreds of rifles and muskets. + +Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around +them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the +rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert +knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his +place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor +and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly +superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with +him in the bushes. + +"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us." + +"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men. +St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap. +There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap." + +"I hate to yield the field." + +"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to +lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your +standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever." + +The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked +sadly upon his fallen men. He was bleeding himself from two slight wounds, +but he paid no attention to them. The need to flee pierced his soul, but +he saw that it must be done, else all the rangers would be destroyed, and, +while he still hesitated a moment or two, the silver whistle of St. Luc, +urging on a fresh and greater attack, rose above all the sounds of combat. +Then he knew that he must wait no longer, and he gave the command for +ordered flight. + +Not more than half of the rangers escaped from that terrible converging +attack. St. Luc's triumph was complete. He had won full revenge for his +defeat by Andiatarocte, and he pushed the pursuit with so much energy and +skill that Rogers bade the surviving rangers scatter in the wilderness to +reassemble again, after their fashion, far to the south. + +Black Rifle remained with the leader, but Robert, Tayoga and Willet +continued their flight together, not stopping until night, when they were +safe from pursuit. As the three went southward through the deep forest, +they saw many trails that they knew to be those of hostile Indians, and +nowhere did they find a sign of a friend. All the wilderness seemed to have +become the country of the enemy. When they looked once more from the lofty +shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they +watched they discovered that they were those of the foe. A terrible fear +clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St. Luc, had struck +already. + +"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga. "All that we find +in the forest proclaims it." + +"I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you +are." + +They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon. +Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, +following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced +south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the +dense thickets for rest. The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than +usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky +folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension. + +They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their +blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and +its touch was damp. Clouds also covered all the skies, and, before long, a +thin, drizzling rain fell. They would have been cold, and, in time, wet to +the bone, but the blankets were sufficient to protect them. + +"Areskoui, after smiling upon us for so long, has now turned his face from +us," said Tayoga. + +"What else can you expect?" said the valiant Willet. "It is always so in +war. You're up and then you're down. We were masters of the peaks for a +while, and by our capture of Garay's letter we kept St. Luc from attacking +Albany, but the stars never fight for you all the time. We couldn't do +anything that would save the rangers from defeat." + +The Onondaga looked up. The others could not see his face, but it was +reverential, and the cold rain that fell upon it had then no chill for +him. Instead it was soothing. + +"Tododaho is on his great star beyond the clouds," he said, "and he is +looking down on us. We have done wrong or he and Areskoui would not have +withdrawn their favor from us, but we have done it unknowingly, and, in +time, they will forgive us. As long as the Onondagas are true to him +Tododaho will watch over them, although at times he may punish them." + +That Tododaho was protecting them even then was proved conclusively to +Tayoga before the night was over. A great war party passed within a hundred +yards of them, going swiftly southward, but the three, swathed in their +blankets, and, hidden in the dark thickets, had no fear. They were merely +three motes in the wilderness and the warriors did not dream that they were +near. When the last sound of their marching had sunk into nothingness, +Tayoga said: + +"It was not the will of Tododaho that they should suspect our presence, but +I fear that they go to a triumph." + +They rose from the thicket early the following morning, and resumed their +flight, but it soon came to a halt, when the Onondaga pointed to a trail in +the forest, made apparently by about twenty warriors. The hawk eye of +Tayoga, however, picked out one trace among them which all three knew was +made by a white man. + +"I know, too," said the red youth, "the white man who made it." + +"Tell us his name," said the hunter, who had full confidence in the +wonderful powers of the Onondaga. + +"It is the Frenchman, Langlade, who held Dagaeoga a prisoner in his village +so long. I know his traces, because I followed them before. His foot is +very small, and it has been less than an hour since he passed here. They +are ahead of us, directly in our path." + +"What do you think we ought to do, Dave?" asked Robert, anxiously. "You +know we want to go south as fast as we can." + +"We must try to go around Langlade," replied Willet. "It's true, we'll lose +time, but it's better to lose time and be late a little than to lose our +lives and never get there at all." + +"The Great Bear is a very wise man," said Tayoga. + +They made at once a sharp curve toward the east, but just when they thought +they were passing parallel with Langlade's band, they were fired upon from +a thicket, the bullet singing by Robert's ear. The three took cover in the +bushes, and a long and trying combat of sharpshooters took place. Two +warriors were slain and both Willet and Tayoga were grazed by the Indian +fire, but they were not hurt. Robert once caught sight of Langlade, and he +might have dropped the partisan with his bullet, but his heart held his +hand. Langlade had shown him many a kindness, during his long captivity +and, although he was a fierce enemy now, the lad was not one to forget. As +he had spared De Galissonnière, so would he spare Langlade, and, in a +moment or two, the Frenchman was gone from his sight. + +Another dark and rainy night came, and, protected by it, they crept in +silence past the partisan's band soon leaving this new danger far behind +them. Tayoga was very grateful, and accepted their escape as a sign. + +"While Manitou, who rules all things, has decreed that we must suffer much +before victory," he said, "yet, as I see it, he has decreed also that we +three shall not fall, else why does he spread so many dangers before us, +and then take us safely through them?" + +"It looks the same way to me," said Willet. "The dark and rainy night that +he sent enabled us to pass by Langlade and his band." + +"A second black night following a first," said Tayoga, devoutly. "I do not +doubt that it was sent for our benefit by Manitou, who is lord even over +Tododaho and Areskoui." + +They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they +caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake's +glittering waters. But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians +upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that +Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at +least, to their enemies. Yet the three themselves were favored. The rain +ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight +became easy. A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, +furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they +were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure. + +"It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated," said Tayoga in his +precise language, "that the frown of Manitou is not for us three. The way +opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends." + +"If we have any friends left," said the hunter. "I fear greatly, Tayoga, +that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive. He has a powerful force +with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed." + +"He has struck already and he has struck terribly," said Tayoga with great +gravity. + +"How do you know that?" asked Robert, startled. + +"I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words," +replied the Onondaga, "but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more +potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning +me. We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement. The +governors of the provinces have not acted together. Everyone is of his own +mind, and no two minds are alike. No effort was made to profit by the great +victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte. Waraiyageh, sore in body +and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been +ready and vigorous." + +"While the French and Indians are all that we are not?" + +"Even so. Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he +intends to do. He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below. His +force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in +numbers. He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has +struck. There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I +tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us." + +"I don't want to believe you, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I do. The +conclusion seems inevitable to me." + +"I'm hoping when hope's but faint," said Robert. + +They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at +least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with +precision. + +"Here passed the cannon," said Tayoga. "I judge by the size of the ruts the +wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way. What do you +say, Great Bear?" + +"You're right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; +a child could tell their number. They had other batteries too." + +"And the wooden walls of our forts wouldn't stand much chance against a +continuous fire of twelve and eighteen pounders," said Robert. + +"No," said Willet. "The forts could be saved only by enterprising and +skillful commanders who would drive away the batteries." + +"Here went the warriors," said Tayoga. "They were on the outer edges of the +great trail, walking lightly, according to their custom. See the traces of +the moccasins, scores and scores of them. We will come very soon to a place +where the whole army camped for the night. How do I know, O, Dagaeoga? +Because numerous trails are coming in from the forest and converging upon +one point. They do that because it is time to gather for food and the +night's rest. Some of the warriors went into the forest to hunt game, and +they found it, too. Look at the drops of blood, still faintly showing on +the grass, leading here, and here, and here into the main trail, drops that +fell from the deer they had slain. Also they shot birds. Behold feathers +hanging on the bushes, blown there by the wind, which proves that the site +of their camp is very near, as I said." + +"It's just over the hill in that wide, shallow valley," said Willet. + +They entered the valley which had been marked by the departed army with +signs as clear as the print of a book for the Onondaga and the hunter to +read. + +"Here at the northern end of the valley is where the warriors cooked and +ate the deer they had slain," said Tayoga. "The bones are scattered all +about, and we see the ashes of their fires, but they kept mostly to +themselves, because few footprints of white men lead to the place they set +aside as their own. Just beyond them the cannon were parked. All this is +very simple. An Onondaga child eight years old could read what is written +in this camp. Here are the impressions made by the cannon wheels, and just +beside them the artillery horses were tethered, as the numerous hoofprints +show." + +"And here, I imagine," said Robert, who had walked on, "the Marquis de +Montcalm and his lieutenants spent the night. Tents were pitched for them. +You can see the holes left by the pegs." + +"Spoken truly, O, Dagaeoga. You are using eye and mind, and lo! you are +showing once more the beginnings of wisdom. Four tents were pitched. The +rest of the army slept in the open. Montcalm and his lieutenants +themselves would have done so, but the setting up of the tents inspired +respect in the warriors and even in the troops. The French leaders have +mind and they profit by it. They neglect no precaution, no detail to +increase their prestige and maintain their authority." + +"It is so, Tayoga," said Willet, "and I can wish that our own officers +would do the same. The French are marvelously expert in dealing with +Indians. They can handle them all, except the Hodenosaunee. But don't you +think they held a short council here by this log, after they had eaten +their suppers?" + +"It cannot be doubted, Great Bear. Montcalm and his captains sat on the +log. The Indian chiefs sat in a half circle before it, and they smoked a +pipe. See, the traces of the ashes on the grass. They were planning the +attack upon the fort. It is bound to be William Henry, because the trail +leads in that direction." + +"And these marks on the log, Tayoga, show that there was some indecision, +at first, and much talking. Two or three of the French officers had their +hunting knives in their hands, and they carved nervously at the log, just +as a man will often whittle as he argues." + +"Well stated, O, Great Bear. After the conference, the chiefs went back in +single file to their own part of the camp. Here goes their trail, and you +can nearly fancy that all stepped exactly in the footprints of the first." + +"The straight, decisive line proves too, Tayoga, that the plan was +completed and everything ready for the attack. The chiefs would not have +gone away in such a manner if they had not been satisfied." + +"Well stated again, Great Bear. The Marquis de Montcalm also went directly +back to his tent. See, where the boot heels pressed." + +"But you have no way of knowing," said Robert, "that the traces of boot +heels indicate the Marquis." + +"O, Dagaeoga, after all my teaching, you forget again that mind can see +where the eye cannot. Train the mind! Train the mind, and you will get much +profit from it. The traces of these boot heels lead directly to the place +where the largest tent stood. We know it was the largest, because the holes +left by the tent pegs are farthest apart. And we know it belonged to the +Marquis de Montcalm, because, always having that keen eye for effect, the +French Commander-in-Chief would have no tent but the largest." + +"True as Gospel, Tayoga," said the hunter, "and the French officers +themselves had a little conference in the tent of the Marquis, after they +had finished with the Indian chiefs. Here, within the square made by the +pegs, are the prints of many boot heels and they were not all made by the +Marquis, since they are of different sizes. Probably they were completing +some plans in regard to the artillery, since the warriors would have +nothing to do with the big guns. Here are ashes, too, in the corner near +one of the pegs. I think it likely that the Marquis smoked a thoughtful +pipe after all the others had gone." + +"Aye, Dave," said Robert, "and he had much to think about. The officers +from Europe find things tremendously changed when they come from their +open fields into this mighty wilderness. We know what happened to Braddock, +because we saw it, and we had a part in it. I can understand his mistake. +How could a soldier from Europe read the signs of the forest, signs that he +had never seen before, and foresee the ambush?" + +"He couldn't, Robert, lad, but while countries change in character men +themselves don't. Braddock was brave, but he should have remembered that he +was not in Europe. The Marquis de Montcalm remembers it. He made no mistake +at Oswego and he is making none here. He took the Indian chiefs into +council, as we have just seen. He placates them, he humors their whims, and +he draws out of them their full fighting power to be used for the French +cause." + +Tayoga ranged about the shallow valley a little, and announced that the +whole force had gone on together the morning after the encampment. + +"The artillery and the infantry were in close ranks," he said, "and the +warriors were on either flank, scouting in the forest, forming a fringe +which kept off possible scouts of the English and Americans. There was no +chance of a surprise attack which would cut up the forces of Montcalm and +impede his advance." + +Willet sighed. + +"The Marquis, although he may not have known it," he said, "was in no +danger from such an enterprise. We have read the signs too well, Tayoga. +Our own people have been lying in their forts, weak of will, waiting to +defend themselves, while the French and their allies have had all the +wilderness to range over, and in which they might do as they pleased. It is +easy to see where the advantage lies." + +"And we shall soon learn what has happened," said Tayoga, gravely. + +The next morning they met an American scout who told them the terrible news +of the capture of Fort William Henry, with its entire garrison, by +Montcalm, and the slaughter afterward of many of the prisoners by the +Indians. + +Robert was appalled. + +"Is Lake George to remain our only victory?" he exclaimed. + +"It's better to have a bad beginning and a good ending than a good +beginning and a bad ending," said the scout. + +"Remember," said Tayoga, "how Areskoui watched over us, when we were among +the peaks. As he watched over us then so later on he will watch over our +cause." + +"It was only for a moment that I felt despair," said Robert. "It is certain +that victory always comes to those who know how to work and wait." + +Courage rose anew in their hearts, and once more they sped southward, +resolved to make greater efforts than any that had gone before. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11311 *** diff --git a/11311-h/11311-h.htm b/11311-h/11311-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9203aac --- /dev/null +++ b/11311-h/11311-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9105 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= + "text/html; charset=UTF-8"> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Masters Of The Peaks, by Joseph A. Altsheler. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11311 ***</div> + +<h1>The MASTERS of the PEAKS</h1> + +<h3>A STORY OF THE GREAT NORTH WOODS</h3> + + +<h2>BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER</h2> + +<h3>1918</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="FOREWORD"></a><h2>FOREWORD</h2> +<br> + +<p>"The Masters of the Peaks," while presenting a complete story in +itself is the fourth volume of the French and Indian War Series, of +which the predecessors were "The Hunters of the Hills," "The Shadow +of the North," and "The Rulers of the Lakes." Robert Lennox, Tayoga, +Willet, and all the other important characters of the earlier romances +reappear in the present book.</p> + +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + <a href="#CHARACTERS_IN_THE_FRENCH_AND_INDIAN_WAR_SERIES"><b>CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHARACTERS"><b>CHARACTERS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I: IN THE DEEP WOODS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II: ON THE RIDGES</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III: THE BRAVE DEFENSE</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV: THE GODS AT PLAY</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V: TAMING A SPY</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI: PUPILS OF THE BEAR</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII: THE SLEEPING SENTINELS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII: BEFORE MONTCALM</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX: THE SIGN OF THE BEAR</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X: THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI: THE MYSTIC VOYAGE</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII: THE MARVELOUS TRAILER</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII: READING THE SIGNS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV: ST. LUC'S REVENGE</b></a><br> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHARACTERS_IN_THE_FRENCH_AND_INDIAN_WAR_SERIES"></a><h2>CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES</h2> +<br> + +<p>ROBERT LENNOX: A lad of unknown origin</p> + +<p>TAYOGA: A young Onondaga warrior</p> + +<p>DAVID WILLET: A hunter</p> + +<p>RAYMOND LOUIS DE ST. LUC: A brilliant French officer</p> + +<p>AUGUSTE DE COURCELLES: A French officer</p> + +<p>FRANÇOIS DE JUMONVILLE: A French officer</p> + +<p>LOUIS DE GALISSONNIÈRE: A young French officer</p> + +<p>JEAN DE MÉZY: A corrupt Frenchman</p> + +<p>ARMAND GLANDELET: A young Frenchman</p> + +<p>PIERRE BOUCHER: A bully and bravo</p> + +<p>PHILIBERT DROUILLARD: A French priest</p> + +<p>THE MARQUIS DUQUESNE: Governor-General of Canada</p> + +<p>MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL: Governor-General of Canada</p> + +<p>FRANÇOIS BIGOT: Intendant of Canada</p> + +<p>MARQUIS DE MONTCALM: French commander-in-chief</p> + +<p>DE LEVIS: A French general</p> + +<p>BOURLAMAQUE: A French general</p> + +<p>BOUGAINVILLE: A French general</p> + +<p>ARMAND DUBOIS: A follower of St. Luc</p> + +<p>M. DE CHATILLARD: An old French Seigneur</p> + +<p>CHARLES LANGLADE: A French partisan</p> + +<p>THE DOVE: The Indian wife of Langlade</p> + +<p>TANDAKORA: An Ojibway chief</p> + +<p>DAGONOWEDA: A young Mohawk chief</p> + +<p>HENDRICK: An old Mohawk chief</p> + +<p>BRADDOCK: A British general</p> + +<p>ABERCROMBIE: A British general</p> + +<p>WOLFE: A British general</p> + +<p>COL. WILLIAM JOHNSON: Anglo-American leader</p> + +<p>MOLLY BRANT: Col. Wm. Johnson's Indian wife</p> + +<p>JOSEPH BRANT: Young brother of Molly Brant, afterward the great Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea</p> + +<p>ROBERT DINWIDDIE: Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHARACTERS"></a><h2>CHARACTERS</h2> +<br> + +<p>WILLIAM SHIRLEY: Governor of Massachusetts</p> + +<p>BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: Famous American patriot</p> + +<p>JAMES COLDEN: A young Philadelphia captain</p> + +<p>WILLIAM WILTON: A young Philadelphia lieutenant</p> + +<p>HUGH CARSON: A young Philadelphia lieutenant</p> + +<p>JACOBUS HUYSMAN: An Albany burgher</p> + +<p>CATERINA: Jacobus Huysman's cook</p> + +<p>ALEXANDER MCLEAN: An Albany schoolmaster</p> + +<p>BENJAMIN HARDY: A New York merchant</p> + +<p>JOHNATHAN PILLSBURY: Clerk to Benjamin Hardy</p> + +<p>ADRIAN VAN ZOON: A New York merchant</p> + +<p>THE SLAVER: A nameless rover</p> + +<p>ACHILLE GARAY: A French spy</p> + +<p>ALFRED GROSVENOR: A young English officer</p> + +<p>JAMES CABELL: A young Virginian</p> + +<p>WALTER STUART: A young Virginian</p> + +<p>BLACK RIFLE: A famous "Indian fighter"</p> + +<p>ELIHU STRONG: A Massachusetts colonel</p> + +<p>ALAN HERVEY: A New York financier</p> + +<p>STUART WHYTE: Captain of the British sloop, <i>Hawk</i></p> + +<p>JOHN LATHAM: Lieutenant of the British sloop, <i>Hawk</i></p> + +<p>EDWARD CHARTERIS: A young officer of the Royal Americans</p> + +<p>ZEBEDEE CRANE: A young scout and forest runner</p> + +<p>ROBERT ROGERS: Famous Captain of American Rangers</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<br> + +<h3>IN THE DEEP WOODS</h3> + +<p>A light wind sang through the foliage, turned to varying and vivid +hues now by the touch of autumn, and it had an edge of cold that made +Robert Lennox shiver a little, despite a hardy life in wilderness and +open. But it was only a passing feeling. A moment or two later he +forgot it, and, turning his eyes to the west, watched the vast +terraces of blazing color piled one above another by the sinking sun.</p> + +<p>Often as he had seen it the wonderful late glow over the mighty forest +never failed to stir him, and to make his pulse beat a little faster. +His sensitive mind, akin in quality to that of a poet, responded with +eagerness and joy to the beauty and majesty of nature. Forgetting +danger and the great task they had set for themselves, he watched the +banks of color, red and pink, salmon and blue, purple and yellow, +shift and change, while in the very heart of the vast panorama the +huge, red orb, too strong for human sight, glittered and flamed.</p> + +<p>The air, instinct with life, intoxicated him and he became rapt as in +a vision. People whom he had met in his few but eventful years passed +before him again in all the seeming of reality, and then his spirit +leaped into the future, dreaming of the great things he would see, and +in which perhaps he would have a share.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, the young Onondaga, looked at his comrade and he understood. +The same imaginative thread had been woven into the warp of which +he was made, and his nostrils and lips quivered as he drank in the +splendor of a world that appealed with such peculiar force to him, a +son of the woods.</p> + +<p>"The spirit of Areskoui (the Sun God) is upon Dagaeoga, and he has +left us to dwell for a little while upon the seas of color heaped +against the western horizon," he said.</p> + +<p>Willet, the hunter, smiled. The two lads were very dear to him. He +knew that they were uncommon types, raised by the gift of God far +above the normal.</p> + +<p>"Let him rest there, Tayoga," he said, "while those brilliant banks +last, which won't be long. All things change, and the glorious hues +will soon give way to the dark."</p> + +<p>"True, Great Bear, but if the night comes it, in turn, must yield to +the dawn. All things change, as you say, but nothing perishes. The sun +tomorrow will be the same sun that we see today. Black night will not +take a single ray from its glory."</p> + +<p>"It's so, Tayoga, but you talk like a book or a prophet. I'm wondering +if our lives are not like the going and coming of the sun. Maybe we +pass on from one to another, forever and forever, without ending."</p> + +<p>"Great Bear himself feels the spell of Areskoui also."</p> + +<p>"I do, but we'd better stop rhapsodizing and think about our needs. +Here, Robert, wake up and come back to earth! It's no time to sing a +song to the sun with the forest full of our red enemies and the white +too, perhaps."</p> + +<p>Robert awoke with a start.</p> + +<p>"You dragged me out of a beautiful world," he said.</p> + +<p>"A world in which you were the central star," rejoined the hunter.</p> + +<p>"So I was, but isn't that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man +creates? He's their sun or he wouldn't create 'em."</p> + +<p>"We're getting too deep into the unknown. Plant your feet on the solid +earth, Robert, and let's think about the problems a dark night is +going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. +Lawrence."</p> + +<p>Young Lennox shivered again. The terraces in the west suddenly began +to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge.</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," he said. "I know the night's going to be cold. It +always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I'd +like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could +warm our food."</p> + +<p>The hunter glanced at the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"That tells the state of my mind, too," he said, "but I doubt whether +it would be safe. If we're to be good scouts, fit to discover the +plans of the French and Indians, we won't get ourselves cut off by +some rash act in the very beginning."</p> + +<p>"It may not be a great danger or any at all," said Tayoga. "There is +much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and +we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a +smothered fire."</p> + +<p>"You're a friend at the right time, Tayoga," said Robert. "I feel that +I must have warmth. Lead on and find the stony hollow for us."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty +hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was +coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy.</p> + +<p>The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a +triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped. They had waited +to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but +there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one +another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the +season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts +and roving bands that never rested. But Robert, Willet and Tayoga +hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance +during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great +risks in the effort.</p> + +<p>They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and +passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze. The +wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder. The +glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as +yet without stars, spread over the earth.</p> + +<p>Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, +stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the +selection of a place where they could stay. The Onondaga, guided by +long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had +lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence. +His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they +desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many +hollows.</p> + +<p>The darkness increased, and the wind swept through the chasms with +alternate moan and whistle, but the red youth held on his course for +a full two miles, and his comrades followed without a word. When the +cliffs about them rose to a height of two or three hundred feet, he +stopped, and, pointing with a long forefinger, said he had found what +they wished.</p> + +<p>Robert at first could see nothing but a pit of blackness, but +gradually as he gazed the shadows passed away, and he traced a deep +recess in the stone of the cliff, not much of a shelter to those +unused to the woods, but sufficient for hardy forest runners.</p> + +<p>"I think we may build a little fire in there," said Tayoga, "and no +one can see it unless he is here in the ravine within ten feet of us."</p> + +<p>Willet nodded and Robert joyfully began to prepare for the blaze. The +night was turning even colder than he had expected, and the chill +was creeping into his frame. The fire would be most welcome for its +warmth, and also because of the good cheer it would bring. He swept +dry leaves into a heap within the recess, put upon them dead wood, +which was abundant everywhere, and then Tayoga with artful use of +flint and steel lighted the spark.</p> + +<p>"It is good," admitted the hunter as he sat Turkish fashion on the +leaves, and spread out his hands before the growing flames. "The +nights grow cold mighty soon here in the high hills of the north, and +the heat not only loosens up your muscles, but gives you new courage."</p> + +<p>"I intend to make myself as comfortable as possible," said Robert. +"You and Tayoga are always telling me to do so and I know the advice +is good."</p> + +<p>He gathered great quantities of the dry leaves, making of them what +was in reality a couch, upon which he could recline in halfway fashion +like a Roman at a feast, and warm at the fire before him the food he +carried in a deerskin knapsack. An appetizing odor soon arose, and, as +he ate, a pleasant warmth pervaded all his body, giving him a feeling +of great content. They had venison, the tender meat of the young bear +which, like the Indians, they loved, and they also allowed themselves +a slice apiece of precious bread. Water was never distant in the +northern wilderness, and Tayoga found a brook not a hundred yards +away, flowing down a ravine that cut across their own. They drank at +it in turn, and, then, the three lay down on the leaves in the recess, +grateful to the Supreme Power which provided so well for them, even in +the wild forest.</p> + +<p>They let the flames die, but a comfortable little bed of coals +remained, glowing within the shelter of the rocks. Young Lennox heaped +up the leaves until they formed a pillow under his head, and then +half dreaming, gazed into the heart of the fire, while his comrades +reclined near him, each silent but with his mind turned to that which +concerned him most.</p> + +<p>Robert's thoughts were of St. Luc, of the romantic figure he had +seen in the wilderness after the battle of Lake George, the knightly +chevalier, singing his gay little song of mingled sentiment and +defiance. An unconscious smile passed over his face. He and St. Luc +could never be enemies. In very truth, the French leader, though an +official enemy, had proved more than once the best of friends, ready +even to risk his life in the service of the American lad. What was +the reason? What could be the tie between them? There must be some +connection. What was the mystery of his origin? The events of the last +year indicated to him very clearly that there was such a mystery. +Adrian Van Zoon and Master Benjamin Hardy surely knew something about +it, and Willet too. Was it possible that a thread lay in the hand of +St. Luc also?</p> + +<p>He turned his eyes from the coals and gazed at the impassive face of +the hunter. Once the question trembled on his lips, but he was sure +the Great Bear would evade the answer, and the lad thought too much of +the man who had long stood to him in the place of father to cause him +annoyance. Beyond a doubt Willet had his interests at heart, and, when +the time came for him to speak, speak he would, but not before.</p> + +<p>His mind passed from the subject to dwell upon the task they had set +for themselves, a thought which did not exclude St. Luc, though the +chevalier now appeared in the guise of a bold and skillful foe, with +whom they must match their wisdom and courage. Doubtless he had formed +a new band, and, at the head of it, was already roaming the country +south of the St. Lawrence. Well, if that were the case perhaps they +would meet once more, and he would have given much to penetrate the +future.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go to sleep, Robert?" asked the hunter.</p> + +<p>"For the best of reasons. Because I can't," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's well to stay awake," said the Onondaga gravely.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Someone comes."</p> + +<p>"Here in the ravine?"</p> + +<p>"No, not in the ravine but on the cliff opposite us."</p> + +<p>Robert strained both eye and ear, but he could neither see nor hear +any human being. The wall on the far side of the ravine rose to a +considerable height, its edge making a black line against the sky, but +nothing there moved.</p> + +<p>"Your fancy is too much for you, Tayoga," he said. "Thinking that +someone might come, it creates a man out of air and mist."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, my fancy sleeps. Instead, my ear, which speaks only the +truth, tells me a man is walking along the crest of the cliff, and +coming on a course parallel with our ravine. My eye does not yet see +him, but soon it will confirm what my ear has already told me. This +deep cleft acts as a trumpet and brings the sound to me."</p> + +<p>"How far away, then, would you say is this being, who, I fear, is +mythical?"</p> + +<p>"He is not mythical. He is reality. He is yet about three hundred +yards distant. I might not have heard him, even with the aid of the +cleft, but tonight Areskoui has given uncommon power to my ear, +perhaps to aid us, and I know he is walking among thick bushes. I can +hear the branches swish as they fly back into place, after his body +has passed. Ah, a small stick popped as it broke under his foot!"</p> + +<p>"I heard nothing."</p> + +<p>"That is not my fault, O Dagaeoga. It is a heavy man, because I now +hear his footsteps, even when they do not break anything. He walks +with some uncertainty. Perhaps he fears lest he should make a false +step, and tumble into the ravine."</p> + +<p>"Since you can tell so much through hearing, at such a great distance, +perhaps you know what kind of a man the stranger is. A warrior, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, he is not of our race. He would not walk so heavily. It is a +white man."</p> + +<p>"One of Rogers' rangers, then? Or maybe it is Rogers himself, or +perhaps Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>"It is none of those. They would advance with less noise. It is one +not so much used to the forest, but who knows the way, nevertheless, +and who doubtless has gone by this trail before."</p> + +<p>"Then it must be a Frenchman!"</p> + +<p>"I think so too."</p> + +<p>"It won't be St. Luc?"</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, though your tone showed that for a moment you hoped it +was. Sharp Sword is too skillful in the forest to walk with so heavy +a step. Nor can it be either of the leaders, De Courcelles or +Jumonville. They also are too much at home in the woods. The right +name of the man forms itself on my lips, but I will wait to be sure. +In another minute he will enter the bare space almost opposite us and +then we can see."</p> + +<p>The three waited in silence. Although Robert had expressed doubt he +felt none. He had a supreme belief in the Onondaga's uncanny powers, +and he was quite sure that a man was moving upon the bluff. A stranger +at such a time was to be watched, because white men came but little +into this dangerous wilderness.</p> + +<p>A dark figure appeared within the prescribed minute upon the crest and +stopped there, as if the man, whoever he might be, wished to rest and +draw fresh breath. The sky had lightened and he was outlined clearly +against it. Robert gazed intently and then he uttered a little cry.</p> + +<p>"I know him!" he said. "I can't be mistaken. It's Achille Garay, the +one whose name we found written on a fragment of a letter in Albany."</p> + +<p>"It's the man who tried to kill you, none other," said Tayoga gravely, +"and Areskoui whispered in my ear that it would be he."</p> + +<p>"What on earth can he be doing here in this lone wilderness at such a +time?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"Likely he's on his way to a French camp with information about our +forces," said Willet. "We frightened Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, when we +were in Albany, but I suppose that once a spy and traitor always a +spy and traitor. Since the immediate danger has moved from Albany, +Martinus and Garay may have begun work again."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better stop him," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, let him go on," said Willet. "He can't carry any information +about us that the French leaders won't find out for themselves. +The fact that he's traveling in the night indicates a French camp +somewhere near. We'll put him to use. Suppose we follow him and +discover what we can about our enemies."</p> + +<p>Robert looked at the cheerful bed of coals and sighed. They were +seeking the French and Indians, and Garay was almost sure to lead +straight to them. It was their duty to stalk him.</p> + +<p>"I wish he had passed in the daytime," he said ruefully.</p> + +<p>Tayoga laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"You have lived long enough in the wilderness, O Dagaeoga," he said, +"to know that you cannot choose when and where you will do your work."</p> + +<p>"That's true, Tayoga, but while my feet are unwilling to go my will +moves me on. So I'm entitled to more credit than you who take an +actual physical de light in trailing anybody at any time."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga smiled, but did not reply. Then the three took up their +arms, returned their packs to their backs and without noise left the +alcove. Robert cast one more reluctant glance at the bed of coals, but +it was a farewell, not any weakening of the will to go.</p> + +<p>Garay, after his brief rest on the summit, had passed the open space +and was out of sight in the bushes, but Robert knew that both Tayoga +and Willet could easily pick up his trail, and now he was all +eagerness to pursue him and see what the chase might disclose. A +little farther down, the cliff sloped back to such an extent that they +could climb it without trouble, and, when they surmounted the crest, +they entered the bushes at the point where Garay had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Can you hear him now, Tayoga?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"My ears are as good as they were when I was in the ravine," replied +the Onondaga, "but they do not catch any sounds from the Frenchman. +It is, as we wish, because we do not care to come so near him that he +will hear."</p> + +<p>"Give him a half mile start," said Willet. "The ground is soft here, +and it won't be any sort of work to follow him. See, here are the +traces of his footsteps now, and there is where he has pushed his way +among the little boughs. Notice the two broken twigs, Robert."</p> + +<p>They followed at ease, the trail being a clear one, and the light of +moon and stars now ample. Robert began to feel the ardor of the chase. +He did not see Garay, but he believed that Tayoga at times heard him +with those wonderful ears of his. He rejoiced too that chance had +caused them to find the French spy in the wilderness. He remembered +that foul attempt upon his life in Albany, and, burning with +resentment, he was eager to thwart Garay in whatever he was now +attempting to do. Tayoga saw his face and said softly:</p> + +<p>"You hate this man Garay?"</p> + +<p>"I don't like him."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to go forward and kill him?"</p> + +<p>"No! No, Tayoga! Why do you ask me such a cold-blooded question?"</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed gently.</p> + +<p>"I was merely testing you, Dagaeoga," he said. "We of the Hodenosaunee +perhaps do not regard the taking of life as you do, but I would not +shoot Garay from ambush, although I might slay him in open battle. Ah, +there he is again on the crest of the ridge ahead!"</p> + +<p>Robert once more saw the thick, strong figure of the spy outlined +against the sky which was now luminous with a brilliant moon and +countless clear stars, and the feeling of resentment was very powerful +within him. Garay, without provocation, had attempted his life, and +he could not forget it, and, for a moment or two, he felt that if +the necessity should come in battle he was willing for a bullet from +Tayoga to settle him. Then he rebuked himself for harboring rancor.</p> + +<p>Garay paused, as if he needed another rest, and looked back, though it +was only a casual glance, perhaps to measure the distance he had come, +and the three, standing among the dense bushes, had no fear that he +saw them or even suspected that anyone was on his traces. After a +delay of a minute or so he passed over the crest and Robert, Willet +and Tayoga moved on in pursuit. The Frenchman evidently knew his path, +as the chase led for a long time over hills, down valleys and across +small streams. Toward morning he put his fingers to his lips and blew +a shrill whistle between them. Then the three drew swiftly near +until they could see him, standing under the boughs of a great oak, +obviously in an attitude of waiting.</p> + +<p>"It is a signal to someone," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"So it is," said Willet, "and it means that he and we have come to +the end of our journey. I take it that we have arrived almost at the +French and Indian camp, and that he whistles because he fears lest he +should be shot by a sentinel through mistake. The reply should come +soon."</p> + +<p>As the hunter spoke they heard a whistle, a faint, clear note far +ahead, and then Garay without hesitation resumed his journey. The +three followed, but when they reached the crest of the next ridge they +saw a light shining through the forest, a light that grew and finally +divided into many lights, disclosing to them with certainty the +presence of a camp. The figure of Garay appeared for a little while +outlined against a fire, another figure came forward to meet him, and +the two disappeared together.</p> + +<p>From the direction of the fires came sounds subdued by the distance, +and the aroma of food.</p> + +<p>"It is a large camp," said Tayoga. "I have counted twelve fires which +proves it, and the white men and the red men in it do not go hungry. +They have deer, bear, fish and birds also. The pleasant odors of them +all come to my nostrils, and make me hungry."</p> + +<p>"That's too much for me," said Robert. "I can detect the blended +savor, but I know not of what it consists. Now we go on, I suppose, +and find out what this camp holds."</p> + +<p>"We wouldn't dream of turning back," said the hunter. "Did you notice +anything familiar, Robert, about the figure that came forward to meet +Garay?"</p> + +<p>"Now that you speak of it, I did, but I can't recall the identity of +the man."</p> + +<p>"Think again!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, now I have him! It was the French officer, Colonel Auguste de +Courcelles, who gave us so much trouble in Canada and elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"That's the man," said Willet. "I knew him at once. Now, wherever De +Courcelles is mischief is likely to be afoot, but he's not the only +Frenchman here. We'll spy out this camp to the full. There's time yet +before the sunrise comes."</p> + +<p>Now the three used all the skill in stalking with which they were +endowed so plentifully, creeping forward without noise through the +bushes, making so little stir among them that if a wary warrior had +been looking he would have taken the slight movement of twig or leaf +for the influence of a wandering breeze. Gradually the whole camp came +into view, and Tayoga's prediction that it would be a large one proved +true.</p> + +<p>Robert lay on a little knoll among small bushes growing thick, where +the keenest eye could not see him, but where his own vision swept +the whole wide shallow dip, in which the French and Indian force was +encamped. Twelve fires, all good and large, burned gayly, throwing out +ruddy flames from great beds of glowing coals, while the aroma of food +was now much stronger and very appetizing.</p> + +<p>The force numbered at least three hundred men, of whom about one third +were Frenchmen or Canadians, all in uniform. Robert recognized De +Courcelles and near him Jumonville, his invariable comrade, and a +little farther on a handsome and gallant young face.</p> + +<p>"It's De Galissonnière of the Battalion Languedoc, whom we met in +Québec," he whispered to Tayoga. "Now I wonder what he's doing here."</p> + +<p>"He's come with the others on a projected foray," Tayoga whispered +back. "But look beyond him, Dagaeoga, and you will see one more to be +dreaded than De Courcelles or Jumonville."</p> + +<p>Robert's gaze followed that of the young Onondaga and was intercepted +by the huge figure of Tandakora, the Ojibway, who stood erect by one +of the fires, bare save for a breech cloth and moccasins, his body +painted in the most hideous designs, of which war paint was possible, +his brow lowering.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora is not happy," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"No," said Robert. "He is thinking of the battle at Lake George that +he did not win, and of all the scalps he did not take. He is thinking +of his lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French."</p> + +<p>"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the spy, +Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh +and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their +victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big +campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to +breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles +consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, +Garay. But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!"</p> + +<p>Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant +figure of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall +man, young, lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner +at once graceful and proud, a man to whom the others turned with +deference, and perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville +with a little fear. He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and +a small gold hilted sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, +dress impresses, and Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his +finest attire, not from vanity, but because he wished to create an +effect. It would be like him, when his fortunes were lowest, to assume +his highest manner before both friend and foe.</p> + +<p>"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of +victories and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is +the finest spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader +and soldier, too. Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop +asking questions of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself +bows low before him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora +stand aside. I wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn +something worth all our risk in coming here."</p> + +<p>But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three, +eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes +and watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and +Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast +for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. +St. Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French +officers and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he +leaned against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, +powerfully built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he +ate mechanically.</p> + +<p>The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The +three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time +for them to be going.</p> + +<p>"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the +daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, +will wander about the camp."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too +great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good +food will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote."</p> + +<p>They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense breath +of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look upon +the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the reach +of those who made it.</p> + +<p>"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my bones +are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my hunger has +grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to speak, +with red hot pincers."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical +tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the +pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance +to show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such +little things as food and drink."</p> + +<p>"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted +young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if +I could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison."</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm +beginning to feel as you do, Robert."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they pursued +a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt. Even then +they hunted about among the rocks until they found a secluded place, +no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to grumble, +although he did not mean it.</p> + +<p>"We were better off last night when we had our little fire in the +hollow," he said.</p> + +<p>"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, +"but we didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least +increased our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have +been awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has +passed, ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should +practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is +pretty well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on +the leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the +bare ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done +so already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. +Whoever does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to +decide."</p> + +<p>But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so +nearly at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He +noticed with pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to +himself, as he had said so often before, that they were two good and +brave lads.</p> + +<p>Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon, +and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees.</p> + +<p>His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had +acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult +physical art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So +thorough was his mastery over himself that the small wild game began +to believe by and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his +head and the hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw +everything and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the +more acuteness.</p> + +<p>The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding +the world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to +Willet, whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and +aspects. They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew +that the hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must +have much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods, +seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them.</p> + +<p>The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did +not sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed +thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins. +Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more +intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come +to him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it +was the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired +in battle. The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had +started up a deer or a bear.</p> + +<p>But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to +the proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart +to miss a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that +they should be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have +rejoiced if there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert +and Tayoga whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And +how he would have spread his nets to catch such precious game!</p> + +<p>He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the +hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was +turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were +obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game +of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer +and bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of +their guns.</p> + +<p>But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and +his lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general +expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no +anxiety marred his sense of the humorous.</p> + +<p>Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded +bear and still he was motionless.</p> + +<p>Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They +believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks and +ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in safe +hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure one +day would be sufficient for the task. That portion of the wilderness +was full of game, and, since the coming of the war, deer and bear were +increasing rapidly. Willet often noted how quickly game returned to +regions abandoned by man, as if the wild animals promptly told one +another the danger had passed.</p> + +<p>Joyous shouts came now and then and he knew that they marked the +taking of game, but about the middle of the afternoon the hunt drifted +entirely away. A little later Tayoga awoke and sat up. Then Willet +moved slightly and spoke.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora's hunters have been all about us while you slept," he said, +"but I knew they wouldn't find us."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga and I were safe in the care of the Great Bear," said the +Onondaga confidently. "Tandakora will rage if we tell him some day +that we were here, to be taken if he had only seen us. Now Lennox +awakes also! O Dagaeoga, you have slept and missed all the great +jest."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Tandakora built his fire just beyond the big bush that grows ten feet +away, and sat there two hours without suspecting our presence here."</p> + +<p>"Now I know you are romancing, Tayoga, because I can see the twinkle +in your eyes. But I suspect that what you say bears some remote +relation to the truth."</p> + +<p>"The hostile hunters passed while you slept, and while I slept also, +but the Great Bear was all eyes and ears and he did not think it +needful to awaken us."</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do now, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Eat more venison. We must never fail to keep the body strong."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure. I thought once that we'd better go south to our army at +Lake George with news of this big band, but it's a long distance down +there, and it may be wiser to stay here and watch St. Luc. What do you +say, Robert?"</p> + +<p>"Stay here."</p> + +<p>"And you, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Watch St. Luc."</p> + +<p>"I was inclining to that view myself, and it's settled now. But we +mustn't move from this place until dark; it would be too dangerous in +the day."</p> + +<p>The lads nodded and the three settled into another long period of +waiting.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<br> + +<h3>ON THE RIDGES</h3> + +<p>Late in the afternoon Willet went to sleep and Robert and Tayoga +watched, although, as the hunter had done, they depended more upon +ear than eye. They too heard now and then the faint report of distant +shots from the hunt, and Robert's heart beat very fast, but, if the +young Onondaga felt emotion, he did not show it. At twilight, they +ate a frugal supper, and when the night had fully come they rose and +walked about a little to make their stiffened muscles elastic again.</p> + +<p>"The hunters have all gone back to the camp now," said Tayoga, "since +it is not easy to pursue the game by dusk, and we need not keep so +close, like a bear in its den."</p> + +<p>"And the danger of our being seen is reduced to almost nothing," said +Robert.</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga, but we will have another fight to make. We must +strive to keep ourselves from freezing. It turns very cold on the +mountains! The wind is now blowing from the north, and do you not feel +a keener edge to it?"</p> + +<p>"I do," replied Robert, sensitive of body as well as mind, and he +shivered as he spoke. "It's a most unfortunate change for us. But now +that I think of it we've got to expect it up among the high mountains +toward Canada. Shall we light another fire?"</p> + +<p>"We'll talk of that later with the Great Bear when he comes out of his +sleep. But it fast grows colder and colder, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>Weather was an enormous factor in the lives of the borderers. +Wilderness storms and bitter cold often defeated their best plans, and +shelterless men, they were in a continual struggle against them. And +here in the far north, among the high peaks and ridges, there was much +to be feared, even with official winter yet several weeks away.</p> + +<p>Robert began to rub his cold hands, and, unfolding his blanket, he +wrapped it about his body, drawing it well up over his neck and ears. +Tayoga imitated him and Willet, who was soon awakened by the cold +blast, protected himself in a similar manner.</p> + +<p>"What does the Great Bear think?" asked the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>The hunter, with his face to the wind, meditated a few moments before +replying.</p> + +<p>"I was testing that current of air on my face and eyes," he said, +"and, speaking the truth, Tayoga, I don't like it. The wind seemed to +grow colder as I waited to answer you. Listen to the leaves falling +before it! Their rustle tells of a bitter night."</p> + +<p>"And while we freeze in it," said Robert, whose imagination was +already in full play, "the French and Indians build as many and big +fires as they please, and cook before them the juicy game they killed +today."</p> + +<p>The hunter was again very thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if we would have to kindle a fire," he said, "and +tomorrow we shall have to hunt bear or deer for ourselves, because we +have food enough left for only one more meal."</p> + +<p>"The face of Areskoui is turned from us," said Tayoga. "We have done +something to anger him, or we have failed to do what he wished, and +now he sends upon us a hard trial to test us and purify us! A great +storm with fierce cold comes!"</p> + +<p>The wind rose suddenly, and it began to make a sinister hissing among +all the passes and gorges. Robert felt something damp upon his face, +and he brushed away a melting flake of snow. But another and another +took its place and the air was soon filled with white. And the flakes +were most aggressive. Driven by the storm they whipped the cheeks +and eyes of the three, and sought to insert themselves, often with +success, under their collars, even under the edges of the protecting +blankets, and down their backs. Robert, despite himself, shivered +violently and even the hunter was forced to walk vigorously back and +forth in the effort to keep warm. It was evident that the Onondaga had +told the truth, and that the face of Areskoui was in very fact turned +from them.</p> + +<p>Robert awaited the word, looking now and then at Willet, but the +hunter hung on for a long time. The leaves fell in showers before the +storm, making a faint rustling like the last sigh of the departing, +and the snow, driven with so much force, stung his face like hail when +it struck. He was anxious for a fire, and its vital heat, but he was +too proud to speak. He would endure without complaint as much as his +comrades, and he knew that Tayoga, like himself, would wait for the +older man to speak.</p> + +<p>But he could not keep, meanwhile, from thinking of the French and +Indians beside their vast heaps of glowing coals, fed and warmed to +their hearts' content, while the three lay in the dark and bitter cold +of the wilderness. An hour dragged by, then two, then three, but the +storm showed no sign of abating. The sinister screaming of the wind +did not cease and the snow accumulated upon their bodies. At last +Willet said:</p> + +<p>"We must do it."</p> + +<p>"We have no other choice," said Tayoga. "We have waited as long as we +could to see if Areskoui would turn a favoring face upon us, but his +anger holds. It will not avail, if in our endeavor to escape the +tomahawk of Tandakora, we freeze to death."</p> + +<p>The fire decided upon, they took all risks and went about the task +with eagerness. Ordinary men could not have lighted it under such +circumstances, but the three had uncommon skill upon which to draw. +They took the bark from dead wood, and shaved off many splinters, +building up a little heap in the lee of a cliff, which they sheltered +on the windward side with their bodies. Then Willet, working a long +time with his flint and steel, set to it the sparks that grew into a +blaze.</p> + +<p>Robert did not stop with the fire. Noticing the vast amount of dead +wood lying about, as was often the case in the wilderness, he dragged +up many boughs and began to build a wall on the exposed side of the +flames. Willet and Tayoga approving of the idea soon helped him, and +three pairs of willing hands quickly raised the barrier of trunks and +brush to a height of at least a yard.</p> + +<p>"A happy idea of yours, Robert," said the hunter. "Now we achieve two +ends at once. Our wall hides the glow of the fire and at the same time +protects us in large measure from the snow and wind."</p> + +<p>"I have bright thoughts now and then," said Robert, whose spirits had +returned in full tide. "You needn't believe you and Tayoga have all +of 'em. I don't believe either of you would have ever thought of this +fine wooden wall. In truth, Dave, I don't know what would become of +you and Tayoga if you didn't have me along with you most all the +time! How good the fire feels! The warmth touches my fingers and goes +stealing up my arms and into my body! It reaches my face too and +goes stealing down to meet the fine heat that makes a channel of my +fingers! A glorious fire, Tayoga! I tell you, a glorious fire, Dave! +The finest fire that's burning anywhere in the world!"</p> + +<p>"The quality of a fire depends on the service it gives," said the +hunter.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga has many words when he is happy," said the Onondaga. "His +tongue runs on like the pleasant murmur of a brook, but he does it +because Manitou made him that way. The world must have talkers as +well as doers, and it can be said for Lennox that he acts as well as +talks."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'm glad you put in the saving clause," laughed Robert. "But +it's a mighty good thing we built our wooden wall. That wind would cut +to the bone if it could get at you."</p> + +<p>"The wind at least will keep the warriors away," said Tayoga. "They +will all stay close in the camp on such a night."</p> + +<p>"And no blame to them," murmured the hunter. "If we weren't in the +Indian country I'd build our own fire five times as big. Now, Robert, +suppose you go to sleep."</p> + +<p>"I can't, Dave. You know I slept all the morning, but I'm not +suffering from dullness. I'm imagining things. I'm imagining how much +worse off we'd be if we didn't have flint and steel. I can always find +pleasure in making such contrasts."</p> + +<p>But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer +and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a +glowing mass of coals. He was wondering what they would do on the +morrow, when their food was exhausted. They had not only the storm to +fight, but possible starvation in the days to come. He foresaw that +instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a +struggle merely to live.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga," he said. "Who would have +predicted such a storm so early in the season?"</p> + +<p>"We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and +that will account for the violent change. I think the wind and snow +will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall +higher and save ample fuel for the fire."</p> + +<p>The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon +it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of +brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood +began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, +as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped +his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the +farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber.</p> + +<p>One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as +he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a +rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and +spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the +pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the +darkness, and he retreated two or three steps.</p> + +<p>It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason +told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through +the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on +his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was +so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger +but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear +had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some +warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature +the stranger and intruder might be.</p> + +<p>Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to +him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would +furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large +blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for +a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of +danger or attack on the part of either.</p> + +<p>"If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad.</p> + +<p>The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear."</p> + +<p>Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature.</p> + +<p>"Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen +sapling."</p> + +<p>A third growl, now ingratiating.</p> + +<p>"It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and +I wouldn't think of fighting."</p> + +<p>A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and +understanding.</p> + +<p>"We're in agreement, I see. Good night, I wish you well."</p> + +<p>A fifth growl, which had the tone of benevolent farewell, and the +bear, dropping on all fours, disappeared in the brush. Robert, whose +fancy had been alive and leaping, returned to the camp rather pleased +with himself, despite the fact that about three hundred pounds of +excellent food had walked away undisturbed.</p> + +<p>"I ran upon a big bear," he said to the hunter and the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"I heard no shot," said Willet.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't fire. Neither my impulse nor my will told me to do so. +The bear looked at me in such brotherly fashion that I could never +have sent a bullet into him. I'd rather go hungry."</p> + +<p>Neither Willet nor Tayoga had any rebuke for him.</p> + +<p>"Doubtless the soul of a good warrior had gone into the bear and +looked out at you," said the Onondaga with perfect sincerity. "It is +sometimes so. It is well that you did not fire upon him or the face of +Areskoui would have remained turned from us too long."</p> + +<p>"That's just the way I felt about it," said Robert, who had great +tolerance for Iroquois beliefs. "His eyes seemed fully human to me, +and, although I had my pistol in my belt and my hand when I first saw +him flew to its butt, I made no attempt to draw it. I have no regrets +because I let him go."</p> + +<p>"Nor have we," said Willet. "Now I think we can afford to rest again. +We can build our wall six feet high if we want to and have wood enough +left over to feed a fire for several days."</p> + +<p>The two lads, the white and the red, crouched once more in the lee of +the cliff, while the hunter put two fresh sticks on the coals. But +little of the snow reached them where they lay, wrapped well in their +blankets, and all care disappeared from Robert's mind. Inured to the +wilderness he ignored what would have been discomfort to others. The +trails they had left in the snow when they hunted wood would soon be +covered up by the continued fall, and for the night, at least, there +would be no danger from the warriors. He felt an immense comfort and +security, and by-and-by fell asleep again. Tayoga soon followed him to +slumberland, and Willet once more watched alone.</p> + +<p>Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did +not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he +would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there +would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and +then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow +had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and +all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point +where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them +the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen +appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to +descend into the lower country and hunt game.</p> + +<p>"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said +Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that +the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians +also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be +delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back."</p> + +<p>"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in +his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only +on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and +perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"We must send out a scout first," said Willet.</p> + +<p>It was agreed that Tayoga should go, and in about two hours he +returned with grave news. The warriors were out again, hunting in the +snow, and although unconscious of it themselves they formed an almost +complete ring about the three, a ring which they must undertake to +break through now in full daylight, and with the snow ready to leave a +broad trail of all who passed.</p> + +<p>"They would be sure to see our path," said Tayoga. "Even the short +trail I made when I went forth exposes us to danger, and we must trust +to luck that they will not see it. There is nothing for us to do, but +to remain hidden here, until the next night comes. It is quite certain +that the face of Areskoui is still turned from us. What have we done +that is displeasing to the Sun God?"</p> + +<p>"I can't recall anything," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is not what we have done but what we have failed to do, +though whatever it is Areskoui has willed that we lie close another +day."</p> + +<p>"And starve," said Robert ruefully.</p> + +<p>"And starve," repeated the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>The three crouched once more under the lee of the cliff, but toward +noon they built their wooden wall another foot higher, driven to the +work by the threatening aspect of the sky, which turned to a somber +brown. The wind sprang up again, and it had an edge of damp.</p> + +<p>"Soon it will rain," said Tayoga, "and it will be a bitter cold rain. +Much of the snow will melt and then freeze again, coating the earth +with ice. It will make it more difficult for us to travel and the +hunting that we need so much must be delayed. Then we'll grow hungrier +and hungrier."</p> + +<p>"Stop it, Tayoga," exclaimed Robert. "I believe you're torturing me on +purpose. I'm hungry now."</p> + +<p>"But that is nothing to what Dagaeoga will be tonight, after he has +gone many hours without food. Then he will think of the juicy venison, +and of the tender steak of the young bear, and of the fine fish from +the mountain streams, and he will remember how he has enjoyed them in +the past, but it will be only a memory. The fish that he craves will +be swimming in the clear waters, and the deer and the bear will be far +away, safe from his bullet."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you had so much malice in your composition, Tayoga, but +there's one consolation; if I suffer you suffer also."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed.</p> + +<p>"It will give Dagaeoga a chance to test himself," he said. "We know +already that he is brave in battle and skillful on the trail, and now +we will see how he can sit for days and nights without anything to +eat, and not complain. He will be a hero, he will draw in his belt +notch by notch, and never say a word."</p> + +<p>"That will do, Tayoga," interrupted the hunter. "While you play upon +Robert's nerves you play upon mine also, and they tell me you've said +enough. Actually I'm beginning to feel famished."</p> + +<p>Tayoga laughed once more.</p> + +<p>"While I jest with you I jest also with myself," he said. "Now we'll +sleep, since there is nothing else to do."</p> + +<p>He drew his blanket up to his eyes, leaned against the stony wall and +slept. Robert could not imitate him. As the long afternoon, one of the +longest he had ever known, trailed its slow length away, he studied +the forest in front of them, where the cold and mournful rain was +still falling, a rain that had at least one advantage, as it had long +since obliterated all traces of a trail left by Tayoga on his scouting +expedition, although search as he would he could find no other profit +in it.</p> + +<p>Night came, the rain ceased, and, as Tayoga had predicted, the intense +cold that arrived with the dark, froze it quickly, covering the earth +with a hard and polished glaze, smoother and more treacherous than +glass. It was impossible for the present to undertake flight over +such a surface, with a foe naturally vigilant at hand, and they made +themselves as comfortable as they could, while they awaited another +day. Now Robert began to draw in his belt, while a hunger that was +almost too fierce to be endured assailed him. His was a strong body, +demanding much nourishment, and it cried out to him for relief. He +tried to forget in sleep that he was famished, but he only dozed a +while to awaken to a hunger more poignant than ever.</p> + +<p>Yet he said never a word, but, as the night with its illimitable hours +passed, he grew defiant of difficulties and dangers, all of which +became but little things in presence of his hunger. It was his impulse +to storm the Indian camp itself and seize what he wanted of the +supplies there, but his reason told him the thought was folly. Then he +tried to forget about the steaks of bear and deer, and the delicate +little fish from the mountain stream that Tayoga had mentioned, but +they would return before his eyes with so much vividness that he +almost believed he saw them in reality.</p> + +<p>Dawn came again, and they had now been twenty-four hours without food. +The pangs of hunger were assailing all three fiercely, but they did +not yet dare go forth, as the morning was dark and gloomy, with a +resumption of the fierce, driving rain, mingled with hail, which +rattled now and then like bullets on their wooden wall.</p> + +<p>Robert shivered in his blanket, not so much from actual cold as from +the sinister aspect of the world, and his sensitive imagination, +which always pictured both good and bad in vivid colors, foresaw the +enormous difficulties that would confront them. Hunger tore at him, +as with the talons of a dragon, and he felt himself growing weak, +although his constitution was so strong that the time for a decline in +vitality had not yet really come. He was all for going forth in the +storm and seeking game in the slush and cold, ignoring the French and +Indian danger. But he knew the hunter and the Onondaga would not hear +to it, and so he waited in silence, hot anger swelling in his heart +against the foes who kept him there. Unable to do anything else, he +finally closed his eyes that he might shut from his view the gray and +chilly world that was so hostile.</p> + +<p>"Is Areskoui turning his face toward us, Tayoga?" he asked after a +long wait.</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga. Our unknown sin is not yet expiated. The day grows +blacker, colder and wetter."</p> + +<p>"And I grow hungrier and hungrier. If we kill deer or bear we must +kill three of each at the same time, because I intend to eat one all +by myself, and I demand that he be large and fat, too. I suppose we'll +go out of this place some time or other."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better make up our minds to do it before it's too late. I +feel my nerves and tissues decaying already."</p> + +<p>"It's only your fancy, Dagaeoga. You can exist a week without food."</p> + +<p>"A week, Tayoga! I don't want to exist a week without food! I +absolutely refuse to do so!"</p> + +<p>"The choice is not yours, now, O Dagaeoga. The greatest gift you can +have is patience. The warrior, Daatgadose, of the clan of the Bear, of +the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, even +as I am, hemmed in by enemies in the forest, and with his powder and +bullets gone, lay in hiding ten days without food once passing his +lips, and took no lasting hurt from it. You, O Dagaeoga, will +surely do as well, and I can give you many other examples for your +emulation."</p> + +<p>"Stop, Tayoga. Sometimes I'm sorry you speak such precise English. If +you didn't you couldn't have so much sport with a bad situation."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed deeply and with unction. He knew that Robert was +not complaining, that he merely talked to fill in the time, and he +went on with stories of illustrious warriors and chiefs among his +people who had literally defied hunger and thirst and who had lived +incredible periods without either food or water. Willet listened in +silence, but with approval. He knew that any kind of talk would cheer +them and strengthen them for the coming test which was bound to be +severe.</p> + +<p>Feeling that no warriors would be within sight at such a time they +built their fire anew and hovered over the flame and the coals, +drawing a sort of sustenance from the warmth. But when the day was +nearly gone and there was no change in the sodden skies Robert +detected in himself signs of weakness that he knew were not the +product of fancy. Every inch of his healthy young body cried out for +food, and, not receiving it, began to rebel and lose vigor.</p> + +<p>Again he was all for going forth and risking everything, and he +noticed with pleasure that the hunter began to shift about and to peer +into the forest as if some plan for action was turning in his mind. +But he said nothing, resolved to leave it all to Tayoga and Willet, +and by-and-by, in the dark, to which his eyes had grown accustomed, he +saw the two exchanging glances. He was able to read these looks. +The hunter said: "We must try it. The time has come." The Onondaga +replied: "Yes, it is not wise to wait longer, lest we grow too feeble +for a great effort." The hunter rejoined: "Then it is agreed," and the +Onondaga said: "If our comrade thinks so too." Both turned their eyes +to young Lennox who said aloud: "It's what I've been waiting for a +long time. The sooner we leave the better pleased I'll be."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Willet, "in an hour we'll start south, going down the +trail between the high cliffs, and we'll trust that either we've +expiated our sin, whatever it was, or that Areskoui has forgiven us. +It will be terrible traveling, but we can't wait any longer."</p> + +<p>They wrapped their blankets about their bodies as additional covering, +and, at the time appointed, left their rude shelter. Yet when they +were away from its protection it did not seem so rude. When their +moccasins sank in the slush and the snow and rain beat upon their +faces, it was remembered as the finest little shelter in the world. +The bodies of all three regretted it, but their wills and dire +necessity sent them on.</p> + +<p>The hunter led, young Lennox followed and Tayoga came last, their feet +making a slight sighing sound as they sank in the half-melted snow and +ice now several inches deep. Robert wore fine high moccasins of tanned +mooseskin, much stronger and better than ordinary deerskin, but before +long he felt the water entering them and chilling him to the bone. +Nevertheless, keeping his resolution in mind, and, knowing that the +others were in the same plight, he made no complaint but trudged +steadily on, three or four feet behind Willet, who chose the way that +now led sharply downward. Once more he realized what an enormous +factor changes in temperature were in the lives of borderers and how +they could defeat supreme forethought and the greatest skill. Winter +with its snow and sleet was now the silent but none the less potent +ally of the French and Indians in preventing their escape.</p> + +<p>They toiled on two or three miles, not one of the three speaking. The +sleet and hail thickened. In spite of the blanket and the deerskin +tunic it made its way along his neck and then down his shoulders and +chest, the chill that went downward meeting the chill that came upward +from his feet, now almost frozen. He could not recall ever before +having been so miserable of both mind and body. He did not know it +just then, but the lack of nourishment made him peculiarly susceptible +to mental and physical depression. The fires of youth were not burning +in his veins, and his vitality had been reduced at least one half.</p> + +<p>Now, that terrible hunger, although he had striven to fight it, +assailed him once more, and his will weakened slowly. What were those +tales Tayoga had been telling about men going a week or ten days +without food? They were clearly incredible. He had been less than two +days without it, and his tortures were those of a man at the stake.</p> + +<p>Willet's eyes, from natural keenness and long training, were able to +pierce the dusk and he showed the way, steep and slippery though it +was, with infallible certainty. They were on a lower slope, where by +some freak of the weather there was snow instead of slush, when he +bent down and examined the path with critical and anxious eyes. Robert +and Tayoga waited in silence, until the hunter straightened up again. +Then he said:</p> + +<p>"A war party has gone down the pass ahead of us. There were about +twenty men in it, and it's not more than two hours beyond us. Whether +it's there to cut us off, or has moved by mere chance, I don't know, +but the effect is just the same. If we keep on we'll run into it."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we try the ascent and get out over the ridges," said Robert.</p> + +<p>Willet looked up at the steep and lofty slopes on either side.</p> + +<p>"It's tremendously bad footing," he replied, "and will take heavy toll +of our strength, but I see no other way. It would be foolish for us to +go on and walk straight into the hands of our enemies. What say you, +Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"There is but a single choice and that a desperate one. We must try +the summits."</p> + +<p>They delayed no longer, and, Willet still leading, began the frightful +climb, choosing the westward cliff which towered above them a +full four hundred feet, and, like the one that faced it, almost +precipitous. Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using +them as supports they toiled slowly upward. Now and then, in spite of +every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it +fell into the pass. Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell +Robert shivered. His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the +pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, +outlined against the slope.</p> + +<p>"Can't you go a little faster?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter. "We mustn't risk a fall. +But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert. It's the fear of being +shot in the back as you climb. I feel it too, but it's only fancy with +both of us."</p> + +<p>Robert said no more, but, calling upon his will, bent his mind to +their task. Above him was the dusky sky and the summit seemed to tower +a mile away, but he knew that it was only sixty or seventy yards now, +and he took his luxurious imagination severely in hand. At such a time +he must deal only in realities and he subjected all that he saw to +mathematical calculation. Sixty or seventy yards must be sixty or +seventy yards only and not a mile.</p> + +<p>After a time that seemed interminable Willet's figure disappeared over +the cliff, and, with a gasp, Robert followed, Tayoga coming swiftly +after. The three were so tired, their vitality was so reduced that +they lay down in the snow, and drew long, painful breaths. When some +measure of strength was restored they stood up and surveyed the place +where they stood, a bleak summit over which the wind blew sharply. +Nothing grew there but low bushes, and they felt that, while they may +have escaped the war band, their own physical case was worse instead +of better. Both cold and wind were more severe and a bitter hail beat +upon them. It was obvious that Areskoui did not yet forgive, although +it must surely be a sin of ignorance, of omission and not of +commission, with the equal certainty that a sin of such type could not +be unforgivable for all time.</p> + +<p>"We seem to be on a ridge that runs for a great distance," said +Tayoga. "Suppose we continue along the comb of it. At least we cannot +make ourselves any worse off than we are now."</p> + +<p>They toiled on, now and then falling on the slippery trail, their +vitality sinking lower and lower. Occasionally they had glimpses of a +vast desolate region under a somber sky, peaks and ridges and slopes +over which clouds hovered, the whole seeming to resent the entry of +man and to offer to him every kind of resistance.</p> + +<p>Robert was now wet through and through. No part of his body had +escaped and he knew that his vitality was at such a low ebb that at +least seventy-five per cent, of it was gone. He wanted to stop, his +cold and aching limbs cried out for rest, and he craved heat at the +cost of every risk, but his will was still firm, and he would not be +the first to speak. It was Willet who suggested when they came to a +slight dip that they make an effort to build a fire.</p> + +<p>"The human body, no matter how strong it may be naturally, and how +much it may be toughened by experience, will stand only so much," he +said.</p> + +<p>They were constantly building fires in the wilderness, but the fire +they built that morning was the hardest of them all to start. They +selected, as usual, the lee of a rocky uplift, and, then by the +patient use of flint and steel, and, after many failures, they +kindled a blaze that would last. But in their reduced state the labor +exhausted them, and it was some time before they drew any life from +the warmth. When the circulation had been restored somewhat they piled +on more wood, taking the chance of being seen. They even went so far +as to build a second fire, that they might sit between the two and dry +themselves more rapidly. Then they waited in silence the coming of the +dawn.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a><h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE BRAVE DEFENSE</h3> + +<p>Robert hoped for a fair morning. Surely Areskoui would relent now! But +the sun that crept languidly up the horizon was invisible to them, +hidden by a dark curtain of clouds that might shed, at any moment, +torrents of rain or hail or snow. The whole earth swam in chilly +damp. Banks of cold fog filled the valleys and gorges, and shreds and +patches of it floated along the peaks and ridges. The double fires had +dried his clothing and had sent warmth into his veins, increasing his +vitality somewhat, but it was far below normal nevertheless. He had an +immense aversion to further movement. He wanted to stay there between +the coals, awaiting passively whatever fate might have for him. +Somehow, his will to make an effort and live seemed to have gone.</p> + +<p>While weakness grew upon him and he drooped by the fire, he did not +feel hunger, but it was only a passing phase. Presently the desire for +food that had gnawed at him with sharp teeth came back, and with it +his wish to do, like one stirred into action by pain. Hunger itself +was a stimulus and his sinking vitality was arrested in its decline. +He looked around eagerly at the sodden scene, but it certainly held +out little promise of game. Deer and bear would avoid those steeps, +and range in the valleys. But the will to action, stimulated back to +life, remained. However comfortable it was between the fires they must +not stay there to perish.</p> + +<p>"Why don't we go on?" he said to Willet.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear you ask that question," replied the hunter.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Because it shows that you haven't given up. If you've got the courage +to leave such a warm and dry place you've got the courage also to make +another fight for life. And you were the first to speak, too, Robert."</p> + +<p>"We must go on," said Tayoga. "But it is best to throw slush over the +fire and hide our traces."</p> + +<p>The task finished they took up their vague journey, going they knew +not where, but knowing that they must go somewhere, their uncertain +way still leading along the crests of narrow ridges, across shallow +dips and through drooping forests, where the wind moaned miserably. At +intervals, it rained or snowed or hailed and once more they were wet +through and through. The recrudescence of Robert's strength was a mere +flare-up. His vitality ebbed again, and not even the fierce gnawing +hunger that refused to depart could stimulate it. By-and-by he began +to stumble, but Tayoga and Willet, who noticed it, said nothing—they +staggered at times themselves. They toiled on for hours in silence, +but, late in the afternoon, Robert turned suddenly to the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember, Tayoga," he said, "something you said to me a couple +of days since, or was it a week, or maybe a month ago? I seem to +remember time very uncertainly, but you were talking about repasts, +banquets, Lucullan banquets, more gorgeous banquets than old Nero had, +and they say he was king of epicures. I think you spoke of tender +venison, and juicy bear steaks, and perhaps of a delicate broiled +trout from one of these clear mountain streams. Am I not right, +Tayoga? Didn't you mention viands? And perhaps you may still be +thinking of them?"</p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i>, Dagaeoga. I am thinking of them all the time. I confess to +you that I am so hungry I could gnaw the inside of the fresh bark upon +a tree, and if I were turned loose upon a deer, slain and cooked, I +could eat him all from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail."</p> + +<p>"Stop, you boys," said Willet sternly. "You only aggravate your +sufferings. Isn't that a valley to the right, Tayoga, and don't you +catch the gleam of a little lake among its trees?"</p> + +<p>"It is a valley, Great Bear, and there <i>is</i> a small lake in the +center. We will go there. Perhaps we can catch fish."</p> + +<p>Hope sprang up in Robert's heart. Fish? Why, of course there were fish +in all the mountain lakes! and they never failed to carry hooks and +lines in their packs. Bait could be found easily under the rocks. +He did not conceal his eagerness to descend into the valley and the +others were not less forward than he.</p> + +<p>The valley was about half a square mile in area, of which the lake in +the center occupied one-fourth, the rest being in dense forest. +The three soon had their lines in water, and they waited full of +anticipation, but they waited in vain until long after night had come. +Not one of the three received a bite. The lines floated idly.</p> + +<p>"Every lake in the mountains except one is full of fish—except one!" +exclaimed Robert bitterly, "and this is the one!"</p> + +<p>"No, it is not that," said Tayoga gravely. "It means that the face +of Areskoui is still turned from us, that the good Sun God does not +relent for our unknown sin. We must have offended him deeply that he +should remain angry with us so long. This lake is swarming with fish, +like the others of the mountains, but he has willed that not one +should hang upon our hooks. Why waste time?"</p> + +<p>He drew his line from the water, wound it up carefully and replaced +it in his pack. The others, after a fruitless wait, imitated him, +convinced that he was right. Then, after infinite pains, as before, +they built two fires again, and slept between them. But the next +morning all three were weak. Their vitality had declined fast in the +night, and the situation became critical in the extreme.</p> + +<p>"We must find food or we die," said Willet. "We might linger a long +time, but soon we won't have the strength to hunt, and then it would +only be a question of when the wolves took us."</p> + +<p>"I can hear them howling now on the slopes," said Tayoga. "They know +we are here, and that our strength is declining. They will not face +our rifles, but will wait until we are too weak to use them."</p> + +<p>"What is your plan, Dave?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"There must be game on the slopes. What say you, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"If Areskoui has willed for game to be there it will be there. He +will even send it to us. And perhaps he has decided that he has now +punished us enough."</p> + +<p>"It certainly won't hurt for us to try, and perhaps we'd better +separate. Robert, you go west; Tayoga, you take the eastern slopes, +and I'll hunt toward the north. By night we'll all be back at this +spot, full-handed or empty-handed, as it may be, but full-handed, I +hope."</p> + +<p>He spoke cheerfully, and the others responded in like fashion. Action +gave them a mental and physical tonic, and bracing their weak bodies +they started in the direction allotted to each. Robert forgot, for a +little while, the terrible hunger that seemed to be preying upon his +very fiber, and, as he started away, showed an elasticity and buoyancy +of which he could not have dreamed himself capable five minutes +before.</p> + +<p>Westward stretched forest, lofty in the valley, high on the slopes and +everywhere dense. He plunged into it, and then looked back. Tayoga and +Willet were already gone from his sight, seeking what he sought. Their +experience in the wilderness was greater than his, and they were +superior to him in trailing, but he was very hopeful that it would be +his good fortune to find the game they needed so badly, the game they +must have soon, in truth, or perish.</p> + +<p>The valley was deep in slush and mire, and the water soaked through +his leggings and moccasins again, but he paid no attention to it now. +His new courage and strength lasted. Glancing up at the heavens he +beheld a little rift in the western clouds. A bar of light was +let through, and his mind, so imaginative, so susceptible to the +influences of earth and air, at once saw it as an omen. It was a +pillar of fire to him, and his faith was confirmed.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui is turning back his face, and he smiles upon us," he said to +himself. Then looking carefully to his rifle, he held it ready for an +instant shot.</p> + +<p>He came to the westward edge of the valley, and found the slope before +him gentle but rocky. He paused there a while in indecision, and, +then glancing up again at the bar of light that had grown broader, he +murmured, so much had he imbibed the religion and philosophy of the +Iroquois:</p> + +<p>"O Areskoui, direct me which way to go."</p> + +<p>The reply came, almost like a whisper in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Try the rocks."</p> + +<p>It always seemed to him that it was a real whisper, not his own mind +prompting him, and he walked boldly among the rocks which stretched +for a long distance along the slopes. Then, or for the time, at least, +he felt sure that a powerful hand was directing him. He saw tracks in +the soft soil between the strong uplifts and he believed that they +were fresh. Hollows were numerous there, and game of a certain kind +would seek them in bitter weather.</p> + +<p>His heart began to pound hard, too heavily, in fact, for his weakened +frame, and he was compelled to stop and steady himself. Then he +resumed the hunt once more, looking here and there between the rocky +uplifts and in the deep depressions. He lost the tracks and then +he found them, apparently fresher than ever. Would he take what he +sought? Was the face of Areskoui still inclining toward him? He looked +up and the bar of light was steadily growing broader and longer. The +smile of the Sun God was deeper, and his doubts went away, one by one.</p> + +<p>He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at +him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle +leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not +miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the +heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him.</p> + +<p>Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly +grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was +food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced. +Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while +he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The +wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was +resolved they should have none.</p> + +<p>He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle, +long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than +the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the +opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew +that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared, +striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full +of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors.</p> + +<p>"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of +a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed. +Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here +is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us."</p> + +<p>Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet +caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened +condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he +revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of +the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without +undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did +they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little +pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval +between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and +vigorous, poured back into their veins.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a +good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving +our lives."</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is +now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiated. We must cook all +the bear, and hang the flesh in the trees."</p> + +<p>"So we must," said the hunter. "It's not right that we three, who are +engaged in the great service of our country, should be hindered by the +danger of starvation. We ought now to be somewhere near the French and +Indians, watching them."</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow we will seek them, Great Bear," said Tayoga, "but do you not +think that tonight we should rest?"</p> + +<p>"So we should, Tayoga. You're right. We'll take all chances on being +seen, keep a good fire going and enjoy our comfort."</p> + +<p>"And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"If we feel like it that's just what we'll do," laughed Willet. "It's +our night, now. Surely, Robert, you're the greatest hunter in the +world! Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked +straight to your bear."</p> + +<p>"No irony," said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased. "It merely +proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you +two. But don't you notice a tremendous change?"</p> + +<p>"Change! Change in what?"</p> + +<p>"Why, everything! The whole world is transformed! Around us a +little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now +magnificent and cheerful. I never saw finer oaks and beeches. That sky +which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and +purples of a benevolent sunset. The wind, lately cold and wet, is +actually growing soft, dry and warm. It's a grand world, a kind world, +a friendly world!"</p> + +<p>"Thus, O Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "does the stomach rule man and the +universe. It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that +was black turns to rose. But the rose will soon be gone, because the +sunlight is fading and night is at hand."</p> + +<p>"But it's a fine night," said Robert sincerely. "I think it about the +finest night I ever saw coming."</p> + +<p>"Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks," said Willet, "and +you'll be sure it's the finest night that ever was or ever will be."</p> + +<p>"I think I will," said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a +sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling +sound, "and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, +I may take another."</p> + +<p>The revulsion in all three was tremendous. Although they had hidden +it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had +made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was +returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes. They +lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they +thought little of danger. Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it +did not disturb men who were as happy as they. The night came down, +heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, +but they remained before the coals, sunk in content.</p> + +<p>They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became +silent. The big hunter considered. He knew that, despite the revulsion +in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great +campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a +while in the valley until they were restored fully.</p> + +<p>Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert +kept the first watch. The night, in reality, had turned much warmer +and the sky was luminous with stars. The immense sense of comfort +remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the +wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he +knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men.</p> + +<p>His spirits, high as they were already, rose steadily as he watched. +Surely after the Supreme Power had cast them down into the depths, a +miracle had been worked in their behalf to take them out again. It was +no skill of his that had led him to the bear, but strength far greater +than that of man was now acting in their behalf. As they had triumphed +over starvation they would triumph over everything. His sanguine mind +predicted it.</p> + +<p>The next morning was crisp and cold, but not wet, and Robert ate the +most savory breakfast he could recall. That bear must have been fed on +the choicest of wild nuts, topped off with wild honey, to have been so +juicy and tender, and the thought of nuts caused him to look under the +big hickory trees, where he found many of them, large and ripe. They +made a most welcome addition to their bill of fare, taking the place +of bread. Then, they were so well pleased with themselves that they +concluded to spend another day and night in the valley.</p> + +<p>Tayoga about noon climbed the enclosing ridge to the north, and, when +he returned, Willet noticed a sparkle in his eyes. But the hunter said +nothing, knowing that the Onondaga would speak in his own good time.</p> + +<p>"There is another valley beyond the ridge," said Tayoga, "and a war +party is encamped in it. They sit by their fire and eat prodigiously +of deer they have killed."</p> + +<p>Robert was startled, but he kept silent, he, too, knowing that Tayoga +would tell all he intended to tell without urging.</p> + +<p>"They do not know we are here, I do not think they dream of our +presence," continued the Onondaga, "Areskoui smiles on us now, and +Tododaho on his star, which we cannot see by day, is watching over us. +Their feet will not bring them this way."</p> + +<p>"Then you wouldn't suggest our taking to flight?" said Willet. "You +would favor hiding here in peace?"</p> + +<p>"Even so. It will please us some day to remember that we rested and +slept almost within hearing of our enemies, and yet they did not take +us."</p> + +<p>"That's grim humor, Tayoga, but if it's the way you feel, Robert and I +are with you."</p> + +<p>Later in the afternoon they saw smoke rising beyond the ridge and +they knew the warriors had built a great fire before which they were +probably lying and gorging themselves, after their fashion when they +had plenty of food, and little else to do. Yet the three remained +defiantly all that day and all through the following night. The next +morning, with ample supplies in their packs, they turned their faces +southward, and cautiously climbed the ridge in that direction, once +more passing into the region of the peaks. To their surprise they +struck several comparatively fresh trails in the passes, and they were +soon forced to the conclusion that the hostile forces were still all +about them. Near midday they stopped in a narrow gorge between high +peaks and listened to calls of the inhabitants of the forest, the +faint howls of wolves, and once or twice the yapping of a fox.</p> + +<p>"The warriors signaling to one another!" said Willet.</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Tayoga. "I think they have noticed our tracks in +the earth, too slight, perhaps, to tell who we are, but they will +undertake to see."</p> + +<p>"I hear the call of a moose directly ahead," said Robert, "although I +know it is no moose that makes it. Our way there is cut off."</p> + +<p>"And there is the howl of the wolf behind us," said Tayoga. "We cannot +go back."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Robert, "I suppose we must climb the mountain. It's lucky +we've got our strength again."</p> + +<p>They scaled a lofty summit once more, fortunately being able to climb +among rocks, where they left no trail, and, crouched at the crest in +dense bushes, they saw two bands meet in the valley below, evidently +searching for the fugitives. There was no white man among them, but +Robert knew a gigantic figure to be that of Tandakora, seeking them +with the most intense and bitter hatred. The muzzle of his rifle began +to slide forward, but Willet put out a detaining hand.</p> + +<p>"No, Robert, lad," he said. "He deserves it, but his time hasn't come +yet. Besides your shot would bring the whole crowd up after us."</p> + +<p>"And he belongs to me," added Tayoga. "When he falls it is to be by my +hand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he belongs to you, Tayoga," said Willet "Now they've concluded +that we continued toward the south, and they're going on that way."</p> + +<p>As they felt the need of the utmost caution they spent the remainder +of the day and the next night on the crest. Robert kept the late +watch, and he saw the dawn come, red and misty, a huge sun shining +over the eastern mountains, but shedding little warmth. He was hopeful +that Tandakora and his warriors had passed on far into the south, but +he heard a distant cry rising in the clear air east of the peak and +then a reply to the west. His heart stood still for a moment. He +knew that they were the whoops of the savages and he felt that they +signified a discovery. Perhaps chance had disclosed their trail. He +listened with great intentness, but the shouts did not come again. +Nevertheless the omen was bad.</p> + +<p>He awoke Willet and the Onondaga, who had been sleeping soundly, +and told them what had happened, both agreeing that the shouts were +charged with import.</p> + +<p>"I think it likely that we will be attacked," said the hunter. "Now we +must take another look at our position."</p> + +<p>The peak, luckily for them, was precipitous, and its crest did not +cover an area of more than twenty or thirty square yards. On the three +sides the ascent was so steep that a man could not climb up except +with extreme difficulty, but on the fourth, by which they had come, +the slope was more gradual. The gentle climb faced the east, and it +was here that the hunter and Robert watched, while Tayoga, for the +sake of utmost precaution, kept an eye on the steep sides.</p> + +<p>Knowing that it was wise to economize and even to increase their +strength, they ate abundantly of the bear steaks, afterward craving +water, which they were forced to do without—the one great flaw in +their position, since the warriors might hold them there to perish of +thirst.</p> + +<p>Robert soon forgot the desire for water in the tenseness of watching +and waiting. But even the anxiety and the peril to his life did not +keep him from noticing the singularity of his situation, upon the +slender peak of a high mountain far in the wilderness. The sun, full +of splendor but still cold, touched with gold all the surrounding +crests and ridges and filled with a yellow but luxurious haze every +gorge and ravine. He was compelled to admire its wintry beauty, a +beauty, though, that he knew to be treacherous, surcharged as it was +with savage wile and stratagem, and a burning desire for their lives.</p> + +<p>A time that seemed incredible passed without demonstration from the +enemy. But he realized that it was only about two hours. He did not +expect to see any of the warriors creeping up the slopes toward them, +but too wise to watch for their faces he did expect to notice the +bushes move ever so slightly under their advance. He and Willet +remained crouched in the same positions in the shelter of high rocks. +Tayoga, who had been moving about the far side, came to them and +whispered:</p> + +<p>"I am going down the northern face of the cliff!"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's sheer insanity, Tayoga!" said the astonished hunter.</p> + +<p>"But I'm going."</p> + +<p>"What'll you achieve after you've gone? You'll merely walk into +Tandakora's hands!"</p> + +<p>"I go, Great Bear, and I will return in a half hour, alive and well."</p> + +<p>"Is your mind upset, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"I am quite sane. Remember, Great Bear, I will be back in a half hour +unhurt."</p> + +<p>Then he was gone, gliding away through the low vegetation that covered +the crest, and Robert and the hunter looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"There is more in this than the eye sees," said young Lennox. "I never +knew Tayoga to speak with more confidence. I think he will be back +just as he says, in half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Maybe, though I don't understand it. But there are lots of things one +doesn't understand. We must keep our eyes on the slope, and let Tayoga +solve his own problem, whatever it is."</p> + +<p>There was no wind at all, but once Robert thought he saw the shrubs +halfway down the steep move, though he was not sure and nothing +followed. But, intently watching the place where the motion had +occurred, he caught a gleam of metal which he was quite sure came from +a rifle barrel.</p> + +<p>"Did you see it?" he whispered to the hunter.</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad," replied Willet. "They're there in that dense clump, hoping +we've relaxed the watch and that they can surprise us. But it may be +two or three hours before they come any farther. Always remember in +your dealings with Indians that they have more time than anything +else, and so they know how to be patient. Now, I wonder what Tayoga is +doing! That boy certainly had something unusual on his mind!"</p> + +<p>"Here he is, ready to speak for himself, and back inside his promised +half hour."</p> + +<p>Tayoga parted the bushes without noise, and sat down between them +behind the big rocks. He offered no explanation, but seemed very +content with himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tayoga," said Willet, "did you go down the side of the +mountain?"</p> + +<p>"As far as I wished."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"I have been engaged in a very pleasant task, Great Bear."</p> + +<p>"What pleasure can you find in scaling a steep and rocky slope?"</p> + +<p>"I have been drinking, Great Bear, drinking the fresh, pure water of +the mountains, and it was wonderfully cool and good to my dry throat."</p> + +<p>The two gazed at him in astonishment, and he laughed low, but with +deep enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"I took one drink, two drinks, three drinks," he said, "and when the +time comes I shall take more. The fountain also awaits the lips of the +Great Bear and of Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Tell it all," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"When I looked down the steep side a long time I thought I caught a +gleam as of falling water in the bushes. It was only twenty or thirty +yards below us, and, when I descended to it, I found a little fountain +bursting from a crevice in the rock. It was but a thread, making +a tiny pool a few inches across, before it dropped away among the +bushes, but it is very cool, very clear, and there is always plenty of +it for many men."</p> + +<p>"Is the descent hard?" asked Willet.</p> + +<p>"Not for one who is strong and cautious. There are thick vines and +bushes to which to hold, and remember that the splendid water is at +the end of the journey."</p> + +<p>"Then, Robert, you go," said the hunter, "and mind, too, that you get +back soon, because my throat is parching. I'd like to have one deep +drink before the warriors attack."</p> + +<p>Robert followed Tayoga, and, obeying his instructions, was soon at the +fountain, where he drank once, twice, thrice, and then once more +of the finest water he could recall. Then, deeply grateful for the +Onondaga's observation, he climbed back, and the hunter took his turn.</p> + +<p>"It was certainly good, Tayoga," he said, when he was back in +position. "Some men don't think much of water, but none of us can live +without it. You've saved our lives."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, O Great Bear," responded the Onondaga, "but if the bushes +below continue to shake as they are doing we shall have to save them +again. Ah!"</p> + +<p>The exclamation, long drawn but low, was followed by the leap of his +rifle to the shoulder, and the pressing of his finger on the trigger. +A stream of fire sprang from the muzzle of the long barrel to be +followed by a yell in one of the thickets clustering on the slope. A +savage rose to his feet, threw up his arms and fell headlong, his body +crashing far below on the rocks. Robert shut his eyes and shivered.</p> + +<p>"He was dead before he touched earth, lad," said the hunter. "Now the +others are ready to scramble back. Look how the bushes are shaking +again!"</p> + +<p>Robert had shut his eyes only for a moment, and now he saw the scrub +shaking more violently than ever. Then he had a fleeting glimpse of +brown bodies as all the warriors descended rapidly. Anyone of the +three might have fired with good aim, but they did not raise their +rifles. Since their enemies were retreating they would let them +retreat.</p> + +<p>"They're all back in the valley now," said the hunter after a little +while, "and they'll think a lot before they try the steep ascent a +second time. Now it's a question of patience, and they hope we'll +become so weak from thirst that we'll fall into their hands."</p> + +<p>"Tandakora and his warriors would be consumed with anger if they knew +of our spring," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"They'll find out about it soon," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think not," said Tayoga. "I noticed when I was at the fountain that +the rivulet ran back into the cliff about a hundred feet below, and +one can see the water only from the crest. If Areskoui has allowed us +to be besieged here, he at least has created much in our favor."</p> + +<p>He looked toward the east, where the great red sun was shining, and +worshiped silently. It seemed to Robert that his young comrade stared +unwinking for a long time into the eye of the Sun God, though perhaps +it was only a few seconds. But his form expanded and his face was +illumined. Robert knew that the Onondaga's confidence had become +supreme, and he shared in it.</p> + +<p>The hunter and Tayoga kept the watch after a while, and young Lennox +was free to wander about the crest as he wished. He examined carefully +the three sides they had left unguarded, but was convinced that no +warrior, no matter how skillful and tenacious, could climb up there. +Then he wandered back toward the sentinels, and, sitting down under a +tree, began to study the distant slopes across the gorge.</p> + +<p>He saw the warriors gather by-and-by in a deep recess out of rifle +shot, light a fire and begin to cook great quantities of game, as +if they meant to stay there and keep the siege until doomsday, if +necessary. He saw the gigantic figure of Tandakora approach the fire, +eat voraciously for a while and then go away. After him came a white +man in French uniform. He thought at first it was St. Luc and his +heart beat hard, but he was able to discern presently that it was an +officer not much older than himself, in a uniform of white faced with +violet and a black, three-cornered hat. Finally he recognized young De +Galissonnière, whom he had met in Québec, and whom he had seen a few +days since in the French camp.</p> + +<p>As he looked De Galissonnière left the recess, descended into the +valley and then began to climb their slope, a white handkerchief held +aloft on the point of his small sword. Young Lennox immediately joined +the two watchers at the brink.</p> + +<p>"A flag of truce! Now what can he want!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon see," replied Willet. "He's within good hearing now, and +I'll hail him."</p> + +<p>He shouted in powerful tones that echoed in the gorge:</p> + +<p>"Below there! What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I have something to say that will be of great importance to you," +replied De Galissonnière.</p> + +<p>"Then come forward, while we remain here. We don't trust your allies."</p> + +<p>Robert saw the face of the young Frenchman flush, but De +Galissonnière, as if knowing the truth, and resolved not to quibble +over it, climbed steadily. When he was within twenty feet of the +crest the hunter called to him to halt, and he did so, leaning easily +against a strong bush, while the three waited eagerly to hear what he +had to say.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE GODS AT PLAY</h3> + +<p>De Galissonnière gazed at the three faces, peering at him over the +brink, and then drew himself together jauntily. His position, perched +on the face of the cliff, was picturesque, and he made the most of it.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to see you again Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and Tayoga, the +brave Onondaga," he said. "It's been a long time since we met in +Québec and much water has flowed under that bridge of Avignon, of +which we French sing, but I can't see that any one of you has changed +much."</p> + +<p>"Nor you," said Robert, catching his tone and acting as spokesman +for the three. "The circumstances are unusual, Captain Louis de +Galissonnière, and I'm sorry I can't invite you to come up on our +crest, but it wouldn't be military to let you have a look at our +fortifications."</p> + +<p>"I understand, and I do very well where I am. I wish to say first that +I am sorry to see you in such a plight."</p> + +<p>"And we, Captain, regret to find you allied with such a savage as +Tandakora."</p> + +<p>A quick flush passed over the young Frenchman's face, but he made no +other sign.</p> + +<p>"In war one cannot always choose," he replied. "I have come to receive +your surrender, and I warn you very earnestly that it will be wise for +you to tender it. The Indians have lost one man already and they are +inflamed. If they lose more I might not be able to control them."</p> + +<p>"And if we yield ourselves you pledge us our lives, a transfer in +safety to Canada where we are to remain as prisoners of war, until +such time as we may be exchanged?"</p> + +<p>"All that I promise, and gladly."</p> + +<p>"You're sure, Captain de Galissonnière, that you can carry out the +conditions?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely sure. You are surrounded here on the peak, and you cannot +get away. All we have to do is to keep the siege."</p> + +<p>"That is true, but while you can wait so can we."</p> + +<p>"But we have plenty of water, and you have none."</p> + +<p>"You would urge us again to surrender on the ground that it would be +the utmost wisdom for us to do so?"</p> + +<p>"It goes without saying, Mr. Lennox."</p> + +<p>"Then, that being the case, we decline."</p> + +<p>De Galissonnière looked up in astonishment at the young face that +gazed down at him. The answer he had expected was quite the reverse.</p> + +<p>"You mean that you refuse?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"It is just what I meant."</p> + +<p>"May I ask why, when you are in such a hopeless position?"</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, Mr. Willet and I wish to see how long we can endure the pangs +of thirst without total collapse. We've had quite a difference on the +subject. Tayoga says ten days, Mr. Willet twelve days, but I think we +can stand it a full two weeks."</p> + +<p>De Galissonnière frowned.</p> + +<p>"You are frivolous, Mr. Lennox," he said, "and this is not a time for +light talk. I don't know what you mean, but it seems to me you don't +appreciate the dire nature of your peril. I liked you and your +comrades when I met you in Québec and I do not wish to see you perish +at the hands of the savages. That is why I have climbed up here to +make you this offer, which I have wrung from the reluctant Tandakora. +It was he who assured me that the besieged were you. It pains me that +you see fit to reject it."</p> + +<p>"I know it was made out of a good heart," said Robert, seriously, "and +we thank you for the impulse that brought you here. Some day we may be +able to repay it, but we decline because there are always chances. You +know, Captain, that while we have life we always have hope. We may yet +escape."</p> + +<p>"I do not see wherein it is possible," said the young Frenchman, with +actual reluctance in his tone. "But it is for you to decide what you +wish to do. Farewell."</p> + +<p>"Farewell, Captain de Galissonnière," said Robert, with the utmost +sincerity. "I hope no bullet of ours will touch you."</p> + +<p>The captain made a courteous gesture of good-by and slowly descended +the slope, disappearing among the bushes in the gorge, whence came a +fierce and joyous shout.</p> + +<p>"That was the cry of the savages when he told them our answer," said +Willet. "They don't want us to surrender. They think that by-and-by +we'll fall into their hands through exhaustion, and then they can work +their will upon us."</p> + +<p>"They don't know about that fountain, that pure, blessed fountain," +said Robert, "the finest fountain that gushes out anywhere in this +northern wilderness, the fountain that Tayoga's Areskoui has put here +for our especial benefit."</p> + +<p>His heart had become very light and, as usual when his optimism was +at its height, words gushed forth. Water, and their ability to get it +whenever they wanted it, was the key to everything, and he painted +their situation in such bright colors that his two comrades could not +keep from sharing his enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Truly, Dagaeoga did not receive the gift of words in vain," said +Tayoga. "Golden speech flows from him, and it lifts up the minds +of those who hear. Manitou finds a use for everybody, even for the +orator."</p> + +<p>"Though it was a hard task, even for Manitou," laughed Robert.</p> + +<p>They watched the whole afternoon without any demonstration from the +enemy—they expected none—and toward evening the Onondaga, who was +gazing into the north, announced a dark shadow on the horizon.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Robert. "A cloud? I hope we won't have another +storm."</p> + +<p>"It is no cloud," replied Tayoga. "It is something else that moves +very fast, and it comes in our direction. A little longer and I can +tell what it is. Now I see; it is a flight of wild pigeons, a great +flock, hundreds of thousands, and millions, going south to escape the +winter."</p> + +<p>"We've seen such flights often."</p> + +<p>"So we have, but this is coming straight toward us, and I have a great +thought, Dagaeoga. Areskoui has not only forgiven us for our unknown +sin—perhaps of omission—but he has also decided to put help in our +way, if we will use it. You see many dwarf trees at the southern edge +of the crest, and I believe that by dark they will be covered with +pigeons, stopping for the night."</p> + +<p>"And some of them will stop for our benefit, though we have bear meat +too! I see, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>Robert watched the flying cloud, which had grown larger and blacker, +and then he saw that Tayoga was right. It was an immense flock of wild +pigeons, and, as the twilight fell, they covered the trees upon their +crest so thickly that the boughs bent beneath them. Young Lennox and +the Onondaga killed as many as they wished with sticks, and soon, fat +and juicy, they were broiling over the coals.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora will guess that the pigeons have fed us," said Robert, "and +he will not like it, but he will yet know nothing about the water."</p> + +<p>They climbed down in turn in the darkness and took a drink, and +Robert, who explored a little, found many vines loaded with wild +grapes, ripe and rich, which made a splendid dessert. Then he took +a number of the smaller but very tough stems, and knotting them +together, with the assistance of Tayoga ran a strong rope from the +crest down to the fountain, thus greatly easing the descent for water +and the return.</p> + +<p>"Now we can take two drinks where we took one before," he said +triumphantly when the task was finished. "If you have your water there +is nothing like making it easy to be reached. Moreover, while it was +safe for an agile fellow like me, you and Dave, Tayoga, being stiff +and clumsy, might have tumbled down the mountain and then I should +have been lonesome."</p> + +<p>Willet, who had been keeping the watch alone, was inclined to the +belief that they might expect an attack in the night, if it should +prove to be very dark. He felt able, however, should such an attempt +come, to detect the advance of the savages, either by sight or +hearing, especially the latter, ear in such cases generally informing +him earlier than eye. But as neither Robert nor Tayoga was busy they +joined him, and all three sat near the brink with their rifles across +their knees, and their pistols loosened in their belts, ready for +their foes should they come in numbers.</p> + +<p>They talked a while in low tones, and then fell silent. The night had +come, starless and moonless, favorable to the designs of Tandakora, +but they felt intense satisfaction, nevertheless. It was partly +physical. Robert's making of an easy road to the water, the coming of +the pigeons, to be eaten, apparently sent by Areskoui, and the ease +with which they believed they could hold their lofty fortress, +combined to produce a victorious state of mind. Robert looked over the +brink once or twice at the steep slope, and he felt that the warriors +would, in truth, be taking a mighty risk, if they came up that steep +path against the three.</p> + +<p>He and Tayoga, in the heavy darkness, depended, like Willet, chiefly +on ear. It was impossible to see to the bottom of the valley, where +the dusk had rolled up like a sea, but, as the night was still, they +felt sure they could hear anyone climbing up the peak. In order to +make themselves more comfortable they spread their blankets at the +very brink, and lay down upon them, thus being able to repose, and at +the same time watch without the risk of inviting a shot.</p> + +<p>Young Lennox knew that the attack, if it came at all, would not come +until late, and restraining his naturally eager and impatient temper, +he used all the patience that his strong will could summon, never +ceasing meanwhile to lend an attentive ear to every sound of the +night. He heard the wind rise, moan a little while in the gorge and +then die; he heard a fitful breeze rustle the boughs on the slopes and +then grow still, and he heard his comrades move once or twice to ease +their positions, but no other sound came to him until nearly midnight, +and then he heard the fall of a pebble on the slope, absolute proof +to one experienced as he that it had been displaced by the incautious +foot of a climbing enemy.</p> + +<p>The rattling of the pebble was succeeded by a long interval of +silence, and the lad understood that too. The warriors, to whom time +was nothing, fearing that suspicion had been aroused by the fall of +the pebble, would wait until it had been lulled before resuming their +advance. They would flatten themselves like lizards against the slope, +not stirring an inch. But the three were as patient as they, and while +a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest +sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a +particle. Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and +they peered cautiously over.</p> + +<p>They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes +about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, +whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his +fire in reserve. Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in +the darkness and pulled trigger. Shouts, the fall of bodies and the +crackling of rifles came back. A half dozen bullets, fired almost at +random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at +a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall +following at once.</p> + +<p>Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and +held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come. But it +did not come. Even the rage of Tandakora had had enough. His second +repulse had been bloodier than the first, and it had been proved with +the lives of his warriors that they could not storm that terrible +steep, in the face of three such redoubtable marksmen.</p> + +<p>Robert heard a number of pebbles rolling now, but they were made by +men descending, and the three, certain of abundant leisure, reloaded +their rifles. Their eyes told them nothing, but they were as sure as +if they had seen them that the warriors had disappeared in the sea of +darkness with which the gulf was filled. The lad breathed a long sigh +of relief.</p> + +<p>"You're justified in your satisfaction," said Willet. "I think it's +the last direct attack they'll make upon us. Now they'll try the slow +methods of siege and our exhaustion by thirst, and how it would make +their venom rise if they knew anything about that glorious fountain +of ours! Since it's to be a test of patience, we'd better make things +easy for ourselves. I'll sit here and watch the slope, and, as the +night is turning cold, you and Tayoga, Robert, can build a fire."</p> + +<p>There was a dip in the center of the crest, and in this they heaped +the fallen wood, which here as elsewhere in the wilderness was +abundant. Wood and water, two great requisites of primitive man, they +had in plenty, and had it not been for their eagerness to go forward +with their work they would have been content to stay indefinitely on +the peak.</p> + +<p>The fire was soon blazing cheerfully. Warriors on the opposing peaks +or crest might see it, but they did not care. No bullets from rival +heights could reach them and the light would appear to their enemies +as a beacon of defiance, a sort of challenge that was very pleasing to +Robert's soul. He basked in the glow and heat of the coals, ate bear +meat and wild pigeon for a late supper, and discoursed on the strength +of their natural fortress.</p> + +<p>"The peak was reared here by Areskoui for our especial benefit," he +said. "It is in every sense a tower of strength, water even being +placed in its side that we might not die of thirst."</p> + +<p>"And yet we cannot stay here always," said the Onondaga. "Tomorrow we +must think of a way of escape."</p> + +<p>"Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tayoga, you're too serious! You're +missing the pleasure of the night."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga loves to talk and he talks well. His voice is pleasant in my +ear like to the murmur of a silver brook. Perhaps he is right. Lo! the +clouds have gone, and I can see Tododaho on his star. Areskoui watches +over us by day and Tododaho by night. We are once more the favorites +of the Sun God and of the great Onondaga who went away to his +everlasting star more than four centuries ago. Again I say Dagaeoga is +right; I will enjoy the night, and let the morrow care for itself."</p> + +<p>He drew the folds of his blanket to his chin and stretched his length +before the fire. Having made up his mind to be satisfied, Tayoga would +let nothing interfere with such a laudable purpose. Soon he slept +peacefully.</p> + +<p>"You might follow him," said Willet.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I can do it now," said Robert. "I've a restless +spirit."</p> + +<p>"Then wander about the peak, and I'll take up my old place at the edge +of the slope."</p> + +<p>Robert went back to the far side, where he had stretched his rope of +grape vines down to the spring, and, craving their cool, fresh taste, +he ate more of the grapes. He noticed then that they were uncommonly +plentiful. All along the cliff they trailed in great, rich clusters, +black and glossy, fairly asking to be eaten. In places the vines +hung in perfect mazes, and he looked at them questioningly. Then +the thought came to him and he wondered why it had been so slow of +arrival. He returned to Willet and said:</p> + +<p>"I don't think you need watch any longer here, Dave."</p> + +<p>"Why?" was the hunter's astonished reply.</p> + +<p>"Because we're going to leave the mountain."</p> + +<p>"Leave the mountain! It's more likely, Robert, that your prudence has +left you. If we went down the slope we'd go squarely into the horde, +and then it would be a painful and lingering end for us."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean the slope. We're to go down the other side of the +cliff."</p> + +<p>"Except here and near the bottom the mountain is as steep everywhere +as the side of a house. The only way for us to get down is to fall +down and then we'd stop too quick."</p> + +<p>"We don't have to fall down, we'll climb down."</p> + +<p>"Can't be done, Robert, my boy. There's not enough bushes."</p> + +<p>"We don't need bushes, there are miles of grape vines as strong as +leather. All we have to do is to knot them together securely and our +rope is ready. If we eased our way to the spring with vines then we +can finish the journey to the bottom of the cliff with them."</p> + +<p>The hunter's gaze met that of the lad, and it was full of approval.</p> + +<p>"I believe you've found the way, Robert," said Willet. "Wake Tayoga +and see what he thinks."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga received the proposal with enthusiasm, and he made the +further suggestion that they build high the fire for the sake of +deceiving the besiegers.</p> + +<p>"And suppose we prop up two or three pieces of fallen tree trunk +before it," added Robert. "Warriors watching on the opposite slopes +will take them for our figures and will not dream that we're +attempting to escape."</p> + +<p>That idea, too, was adopted, and in a few minutes the fire was blazing +and roaring, while a stream of sparks drifted up merrily from it to be +lost in the dusk. Near it the fragments of tree trunks set erect would +pass easily, at a great distance and in the dark, for human beings. +Then, while Willet watched, Robert and Tayoga knotted the vines with +quick and dextrous hands, throwing the cable over a bough, and trying +every knot with their double weight. A full two hours they toiled and +then they exulted.</p> + +<p>"It will reach from the clump of bushes about the fountain to the next +clump below, which is low down," said Robert, "and from there we can +descend without help."</p> + +<p>They called Willet, and the three, leaving the crest which had been +such a refuge for them and which they had defended so well, descended +to the fountain. At that point they secured their cable with infinite +care to the largest of the dwarf trees and let it drop over across a +bare space to the next clump of bushes below, a distance that seemed +very great, it was so steep. Robert claimed the honor of the first +descent, but it was finally conceded to Tayoga, who was a trifle +lighter.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga fastened securely upon his back his rifle and his pack +containing food, and then, grasping the cable firmly with both hands, +he began to go down, while his friends watched with great anxiety. He +was not obliged to swing clear his whole weight, but was able to brace +his feet against the cliff. Thus he steadied the vines, but Robert and +Willet nevertheless breathed great sighs of relief, when he reached +the bushes below, and detached himself from the cable.</p> + +<p>"It is safe," he called back.</p> + +<p>Robert went next and Willet followed. When the three were in the +bushes, clinging to their tough and wiry strength, they found that the +difficulties, as they invariably do, had decreased. Below them the +slope was not so steep by any means, and, by holding to the rocky +outcrops and scant bushes, they could make the full descent of the +mountain. While they rested for a little space where they were, Robert +suddenly began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"Is Dagaeoga rejoicing so soon?" asked Tayoga</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I laugh," replied Robert, "when we have such a good +jest?"</p> + +<p>"What jest? I see none."</p> + +<p>"Why, to think of Tandakora sitting at the foot of our peak and +watching there three or four days, waiting all the time for us to die +of hunger and thirst, and we far to the south. At least he'll see that +the mountain doesn't get away, and Tandakora, I take it, has small +sense of humor. When he penetrates the full measure of the joke he'll +love us none the less. Perhaps, though, De Galissonnière will not +mourn, because he knows that if we were taken after a siege he could +not save us from the cruelty of the savages."</p> + +<p>The hunter and the Onondaga were forced to laugh a little with him, +and then, rested thoroughly, they resumed the descent, leaving their +cable to tell its own tale, later on. The rest of the slope, although +possible, was slow and painful, testing their strength and skill to +the utmost, but they triumphed over everything and before day were in +a gorge, with the entire height of the peak towering above them and +directly between them and their enemies. Here they flung themselves +on the ground and rested until day, when they began a rapid flight +southward, curving about among the peaks, as the easiest way led them.</p> + +<p>The air rapidly grew warmer, showing that the sudden winter had come +only on the high mountains, and that autumn yet lingered on the lower +levels. The gorgeous reds and yellows and browns and vivid shades +between returned, but there was a haze in the air and the west was +dusky.</p> + +<p>"Storm will come again before night," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"I think so too," said Willet, "and as I've no mind to be beaten about +by it, suppose we build a spruce shelter in the gorge here and wait +until it passes."</p> + +<p>The two lads were more than willing, feeling that the chance of +pursuit had passed for a long time at least, and they set to work with +their sharp hatchets, rapidly making a crude but secure wickiup, as +usual against the rocky side of a hill. Before the task was done the +sky darkened much more, and far in the west thunder muttered.</p> + +<p>"It's rolling down a gorge," said Robert, "and hark! you can hear it +also in the south."</p> + +<p>From a point, far distant from the first, came a like rumble, and, +after a few moments of silence, a third rumble was heard to the east. +Silence again and then the far rumble came from the south.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," said Robert. "It isn't often that you hear thunder on +all sides of you."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Tayoga, whose face bore a rapt and extraordinary +look. The four rumbles again went around the horizon, coming from one +point after the other in turn.</p> + +<p>"It is no ordinary thunder," said the Onondaga in a tone of deep +conviction.</p> + +<p>"What is it, then?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"It is Manitou, Areskoui, Tododaho and Hayowentha talking together. +That is why we have the thunder north, east, south and west. Hear +their voices carrying all through the heavens!"</p> + +<p>"Which is Manitou?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot tell. But the great gods talk, one with another, though +what they say is not for us to know. It is not right that mere mortals +like ourselves should understand them, when they speak across infinite +space."</p> + +<p>"It may be that you're right, Tayoga," said Willet.</p> + +<p>The three did not yet go into the spruce shelter, because, contrary to +the signs, there was no rain. The wind moaned heavily and thick black +clouds swept up in an almost continuous procession from the western +horizon, but they did not let a drop fall. The thunder at the four +points of the horizon went on, the reports moving from north to east, +and thence to south and west, and then around and around, always in +the same direction. After every crash there was a long rumble in the +gorges until the next crash came again. Now and then lightning flared.</p> + +<p>"It is not a storm after all," said the Onondaga, "or, at least, if a +storm should come it will not be until after night is at hand, when +the great gods are through talking. Listen to the heavy booming, +always like the sound of a thousand big guns at one time. Now the +lightning grows and burns until it is at a white heat. The great gods +not only talk, but they are at play. They hurl thunderbolts through +infinite space, and watch them fall. Then they send thunder rumbling +through our mountains, and the sound is as soft to them as a whisper +to us."</p> + +<p>"Your idea is pretty sound, Tayoga," said Willet, who had imbibed more +than a little of the Iroquois philosophy, "and it does look as if the +gods were at play because there is so much thunder and lightning and +no rain. Look at that flash on the mountain toward the east! I think +it struck. Yes, there goes a tree! When the gods play among the peaks +it's just as well for us to stay down here in the gorge."</p> + +<p>"But the crashes still run regularly from north to east and on +around," said Robert. "I suppose that when they finish talking, the +rain will come, and we'll have plenty of need for our spruce shelter."</p> + +<p>The deep rumbling continued all through the rest of the afternoon. +A dusk as of twilight arrived long before sunset, but it was of an +unusually dull, grayish hue, and it affected Robert as if he were +breathing an air surcharged with gunpowder. It colored and intensified +everything. The peaks and ridges rose to greater heights, the gorges +and valleys were deeper, the reports of the thunder, extremely heavy, +in fact, were doubled and tripled in fancy; all that Tayoga had said +about the play of the gods was true. Tododaho, the great Onondaga, +spoke across the void to Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, and Areskoui, +the Sun God, conversed with Manitou, the All Powerful, Himself.</p> + +<p>The imaginative lad felt awe but no fear. The gods at play in the +heavens would not condescend to harm a humble mortal like himself and +it was an actual pleasure because he was there to hear them. Just +before the invisible sun went over the rim of the horizon, a brilliant +red light shot for a minute or two from the west through the gray +haze, and fell on the faces of the three, sitting in silence before +their spruce shelter.</p> + +<p>"It is Areskoui throwing off his most brilliant beams before he goes," +said Tayoga. "Now I think the play will soon be over, and we may look +for the rain."</p> + +<p>The crashes of thunder increased swiftly and greatly in violence, and +then, as the Onondaga had predicted, ceased abruptly. The silence that +followed was so heavy that it was oppressive. No current of air was +moving anywhere. Not a leaf stirred. The grayish haze became thicker +and every ridge and peak was hidden. Presently a sound like a sigh +came down the gorge, but it soon grew.</p> + +<p>"We'll go inside," said Tayoga, "because the deluge is at hand."</p> + +<p>They crowded themselves into their crude little hut, and in five +minutes the flood was upon them, pouring with such violence that some +of it forced its way through the hasty thatch, but they were able +to protect themselves with their blankets, and they slept the night +through in a fair degree of comfort.</p> + +<p>In the morning they saw a world washed clean, bright and shining, and +they breathed an autumnal air wonderful in its purity. Feeling safe +now from pursuit, they were no longer eager to flee. A brief council +of three decided that they would hang once more on the French and +Indian flank. It had been their purpose to discover what was intended +by the formidable array they had seen, and it was their purpose yet.</p> + +<p>They did not go back on their path, but they turned eastward into a +land of little and beautiful lakes, through which one of the great +Indian trails from the northwest passed, and made a hidden camp +near the shore of a sheet of water about a mile square, set in the +mountains like a gem. They had method in locating here, as the trail +ran through a gorge less than half a mile to the east of their camp, +and they had an idea that the spy, Garay, might pass that way, two of +them always abiding by the trail, while the third remained in their +secluded camp or hunted game. Willet shot a deer and Tayoga brought +down a rare wild turkey, while Robert caught some wonderful lake +trout. So they had plenty of food, and they were content to wait.</p> + +<p>They were sure that Garay had not yet gone, as the storms that had +threatened them would certainly have delayed his departure, and +neither the hunter nor the Onondaga could discover any traces of +footsteps. Fortunately the air continued to turn warmer and the lower +country in which they now were had all the aspects of Indian summer. +Robert, shaken a little perhaps by the great hardships and dangers +through which he had passed, though he may not have realized at the +time the weight upon his nerves, recovered quickly, and, as usual, +passed, with the rebound, to the heights of optimism.</p> + +<p>"What do you expect to get from Garay?" he asked Willet as he changed +places with him on the trail.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure," replied the hunter, "but if we catch him we'll find +something. We've got to take our bird first, and then we'll see. He +went north and west with a message, and that being the case he's bound +to take one back. I don't think Garay is a first-class woodsman and we +may be able to seize him."</p> + +<p>Robert was pleased with the idea of the hunted turning into the +hunters, and he and Tayoga now did most of the watching along the +trail, a watch that was not relaxed either by day or by night. On +the sixth night the two youths were together, and Tayoga thought he +discerned a faint light to the north.</p> + +<p>"It may be a low star shining over a hill," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think it is the glow from a small camp fire," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"It's a question that's decided easily."</p> + +<p>"You mean we'll stalk it, star or fire, whichever it may be?"</p> + +<p>"That is what we're here for, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>They began an exceedingly cautious advance toward the light, and it +soon became evident that it was a fire, though, as Tayoga had said, a +small one, set in a little valley and almost hidden by the surrounding +foliage. Now they redoubled their caution, using every forest art to +make a silent approach, as they might find a band of warriors around +the blaze, and they did not wish to walk with open eyes into any +such deadly trap. Their delight was great when they saw only one man +crouched over the coals in a sitting posture, his head bent over his +knees; so that, in effect, only his back was visible, but they knew +him at once. It was Garay.</p> + +<p>The heart of young Lennox flamed with anger and triumph. Here was the +fellow who had tried to take his life in Albany, and, if he wished +revenge, the moment was full of opportunity. Yet he could never fire +at a man's back, and it was their cue, moreover, to take him alive. +Garay's rifle was leaning against a log, six or eight feet from him, +and his attitude indicated that he might be asleep. His clothing was +stained and torn, and he bore all the signs of a long journey and +extreme weariness.</p> + +<p>"See what it is to come into the forest and not be master of all its +secrets," whispered Tayoga. "Garay is the messenger of Onontio (the +Governor General of Canada) and Tandakora, and yet he sleeps, when +those who oppose him are abroad."</p> + +<p>"A man has to sleep some time or other," said Robert, "or at least a +white man must. We're not all like an Iroquois; we can't stay awake +forever if need be."</p> + +<p>"If one goes to the land of Tarenyawagon when his enemies are at hand +he must pay the price, Dagaeoga, and now the price that Garay is going +to pay will be a high one. Surely Manitou has delivered him, helpless, +into our hands. Come, we will go closer."</p> + +<p>They crept through the bushes until they could have reached out and +touched the spy with the muzzles of their rifles, and still he did not +stir. Into that heavy and weary brain, plunged into dulled slumbers, +entered no thought of a stalking foe. The fire sank and the bent +back sagged a little lower. Garay had traveled hard and long. He was +anxious to get back to Albany with what he knew, and he felt sure that +the northern forests contained only friends. He had built his fire +without apprehension, and sleep had overtaken him quickly.</p> + +<p>A fox stirred in the thicket beyond the fire and looked suspiciously +at the coals and the still figure beyond them. He did not see the +other two figures in the bushes but his animosity as well as his +suspicion was aroused. He edged a little nearer, and then a slight +sound in the thicket caused him to creep back. But he was an inquiring +fox, and, although he buried himself under a bush, he still looked, +staring with sharp, intent eyes.</p> + +<p>He saw a shadow glide from the thicket, pick up the rifle of Garay +which leaned against the fallen log, and then glide back, soundless. +The curiosity of the fox now prevailed over his suspicion. The shadow +had not menaced him, and his vulpine intelligence told him that he was +not concerned in the drama now about to unfold itself. He was merely a +spectator, and, as he looked, he saw the shadow glide back and crouch +beside the sleeping man. Then a second shadow came and crouched on the +other side.</p> + +<p>What the fox saw was the approach of Robert and Tayoga, whom some +whimsical humor had seized. They intended to make the surprise +complete and Robert, with a memory of the treacherous shot in Albany, +was willing also to fill the soul of the spy with terror. Tayoga +adroitly removed the pistol and knife from the belt of Garay, and +Robert touched him lightly on the shoulder. Still he did not stir, and +then the youth brought his hand down heavily.</p> + +<p>Garay uttered the sigh of one who comes reluctantly from the land of +sleep and who would have gone back through the portals which were only +half opened, but Robert brought his hand down again, good and hard. +Then his eyes flew open and he saw the calm face beside him, and the +calm eyes less than a foot away, staring straight into his own. +It must be an evil dream, he thought at first, but it had all the +semblance of reality, and, when he turned his head in fear, he saw +another face on the other side of him, carved in red bronze, it too +only a foot away and staring at him in stern accusation.</p> + +<p>Then all the faculties of Garay, spy and attempted assassin, leaped +into life, and he uttered a yell of terror, springing to his feet, as +if he had been propelled by a galvanic battery. Strong hands, seizing +him on either side, pulled him down again and the voice of Tayoga, of +the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of +the Hodenosaunee said insinuatingly in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Achille Garay! Here are two who wish to talk with you!"</p> + +<p>He fell back heavily and his soul froze within him, as he recognized +the faces. His figure sagged, his eyes puffed out, and he waited in +silent terror.</p> + +<p>"I see that you recognize us, Achille Garay," said Robert, whose +whimsical humor was still upon him. "You'll recall that shot in +Albany. Perhaps you did not expect to meet my friend and me here in +the heart of the northern forests, but here we are. What have you to +say for yourself?"</p> + +<p>Garay strove to speak, but the half formed words died on his lips.</p> + +<p>"We wish explanations about that little affair in Albany," continued +his merciless interlocutor, "and perhaps there is no better time than +the present. Again I repeat, what have you to say? And you have also +been in the French and Indian camp. You bore a message to St. Luc and +Tandakora and beyond a doubt you bear another back to somebody. We +want to know about that too. Oh, we want to know about many things!"</p> + +<p>"I have no message," stammered Garay.</p> + +<p>"Your word is not good. We shall find methods of making you talk. You +have been among the Indians and you ought to know something about +these methods. But first I must lecture you on your lack of woodcraft. +It is exceedingly unwise to build a fire in the wilderness and go +to sleep beside it, unless there is someone with you to watch. I'm +ashamed of you, Monsieur Garay, to have neglected such an elementary +lesson. It made your capture easy, so ridiculously easy that it +lacked piquancy and interest. Tayoga and I were not able to give our +faculties and strength the healthy exercise they need. Come now, are +you ready to walk?"</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with me?" asked Garay in French, which both +of his captors understood and spoke.</p> + +<p>"We haven't decided upon that," replied Robert maliciously, "but +whatever it is we'll make it varied and lively. It may please you +to know that we've been waiting several days for you, but we scarce +thought you'd go to sleep squarely in the trail, just where we'd be +sure to see you. Stand up now and march like a man, ready to meet any +fate. Fortune has turned against you, but you still have the chance to +show your Spartan courage and endurance."</p> + +<p>"The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a +heroic soul," said Tayoga solemnly.</p> + +<p>Garay shivered.</p> + +<p>"You'll save me from torture?" he said to Robert.</p> + +<p>Young Lennox shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'd do so if it were left to me," he said, "but my friend, Tayoga, +has a hard heart. In such matters as these he will not let me have my +way. He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation. Also, David +Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for +extreme measures. You'll soon face him. Now, march straight to the +right!"</p> + +<p>Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in +the direction indicated. Close behind him came the avenging two.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_V"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<br> + +<h3>TAMING A SPY</h3> + +<p>Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation. It fairly permeated his +system. The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the +greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived +him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum +into their hands. Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned +toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of +mood—that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although +the spy might take a different view of the matter. The triumph, and +the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery +speech.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend," he said. "You are surprised that +we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with +us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then +proved too swift for Tayoga. That's a little matter we must look into +some time soon. I don't understand why you wished me to leave the +world prematurely. It must surely have been in the interest of someone +else, because I had never heard of you before in my life. But we'll +pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to +the fore. It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the +middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, +and wait for us to come. It reflects little credit, however, on your +skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we're not +going to let you stay out in the forest after dark."</p> + +<p>Garay turned a frightened look upon him. It was mention of the +bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul. But Robert, +ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him.</p> + +<p>"As I told you," he continued, "Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy +with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone. We saw you going +to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your +way back. We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you +in merciless fashion. What he intends to do with you is more than I've +been able to determine. Ah, he comes now!"</p> + +<p>The parting bushes disclosed a tall figure, rifle ready, and Robert +called cheerily:</p> + +<p>"Here we are, Dave, back again, and we bring with us a welcome guest. +Monsieur Achille Garay was lost in the forest, and, taking pity on +him, we've brought him in to share our hospitality. Mr. David Willet, +Monsieur Achille Garay of everywhere."</p> + +<p>Willet smiled grimly and led the way back to the spruce shelter. To +Garay's frightened eyes he bore out fully Robert's description.</p> + +<p>"You lads seem to have taken him without trouble," he said. "You've +done well. Sit down, Garay, on that log; we've business with you."</p> + +<p>Garay obeyed.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the hunter, "what message did you take to St. Luc and the +French and Indian force?"</p> + +<p>The man was silent. Evidently he was gathering together the shreds of +his courage, as his back stiffened. Willet observed him shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"You don't choose to answer," he said. "Well, we'll find a way to make +you later on. But the message you carried was not so important as the +message you're taking back. It's about you, somewhere. Hand over the +dispatch."</p> + +<p>"I've no dispatch," said Garay sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you have! A man like you wouldn't be making such a long and +dangerous journey into the high mountains and back again for nothing. +Come, Garay, your letter!"</p> + +<p>The spy was silent.</p> + +<p>"Search him, lads!" said Willet.</p> + +<p>Garay recoiled, but when the hunter threatened him with his pistol +he submitted to the dextrous hands of Robert and Tayoga. They went +through all his pockets, and then they made him remove his clothing +piece by piece, while they thrust the points of their knives through +the lining for concealed documents. But the steel touched nothing. +Then they searched his heavy moccasins, and even pulled the soles +loose, but no papers were disclosed. There was nowhere else to look +and the capture had brought no reward.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't seem to have anything," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"He must have! He is bound to have!" said the hunter.</p> + +<p>"You have had your look," said Garay, a note of triumph showing in +his voice, "and you have failed. I bear no message because I am no +messenger. I am a Frenchman, it is true, but I have no part in this +war. I am not a soldier or a scout. You should let me go."</p> + +<p>"But that bullet in Albany."</p> + +<p>"I did not fire it. It was someone else. You have made a mistake."</p> + +<p>"We've made no mistake," said the hunter. "We know what you are. We +know, too, that a dispatch of great importance is about you somewhere. +It is foolish to think otherwise, and we mean to have it."</p> + +<p>"I carry no dispatch," repeated Garay in his sullen, obstinate tones.</p> + +<p>"We mean that you shall give it to us," said the hunter, "and soon you +will be glad to do so."</p> + +<p>Robert glanced at him, but Willet did not reveal his meaning. It was +impossible to tell what course he meant to take, and the two lads were +willing to let the event disclose itself. The same sardonic humor that +had taken possession of Robert seemed to lay hold of the older man +also.</p> + +<p>"Since you're to be our guest for a while, Monsieur Garay," he said, +"we'll give you our finest room. You'll sleep in the spruce shelter, +while we spread our blankets outside. But lest you do harm to +yourself, lest you take into your head some foolish notion to commit +suicide, we'll have to bind you. Tayoga can do it in such a manner +that the thongs will cause you no pain. You'll really admire his +wonderful skill."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga bound Garay securely with strips, cut from the prisoner's +own clothing, and they left him lying within the spruce shelter. At +dawn the next day Willet awoke the captive, who had fallen into a +troubled slumber.</p> + +<p>"Your letter," he said. "We want it."</p> + +<p>"I have no letter," replied Garay stubbornly.</p> + +<p>"We shall ask you for it once every two hours, and the time will come +when you'll be glad to give it to us."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the lads and said they would have the finest +breakfast in months to celebrate the good progress of their work.</p> + +<p>Robert built up a splendid fire, and, taking their time about it, they +broiled bear meat, strips of the deer they had killed and portions of +wild pigeon and the rare wild turkey. Varied odors, all appetizing, +and the keen, autumnal air gave them an appetite equal to anything. +Yet Willet lingered long, seeing that everything was exactly right +before he gave the word to partake, and then they remained yet +another good while over the feast, getting the utmost relish out of +everything. When they finally rose from their seats on the logs, two +hours had passed since Willet had awakened Garay and he went back to +him.</p> + +<p>"Your letter?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I have no letter," replied Garay, "but I'm very hungry. Let me have +my breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Your letter?"</p> + +<p>"I've told you again and again that I've no letter."</p> + +<p>"It's now about 8:30 o'clock; at half past ten I'll ask you for it +again."</p> + +<p>He went back to the two lads and helped them to put out the fire. +Garay set up a cry for food, and then began to threaten them with the +vengeance of the Indians, but they paid no attention to him. At half +past ten as indicated by the sun, Willet returned to him.</p> + +<p>"The letter?" he said.</p> + +<p>"How many times am I to tell you that I have no letter?"</p> + +<p>"Very well. At half past twelve I shall ask for it again."</p> + +<p>At half past twelve Garay returned the same answer, and then the +three ate their noonday meal, which, like the breakfast, was rich and +luscious. Once more the savory odors of bear, deer, wild turkey and +wild pigeon filled the forest, and Garay, lying in the doorway of the +hut, where he could see, and where the splendid aroma reached his +nostrils, writhed in his bonds, but still held fast to his resolution.</p> + +<p>Robert said nothing, but the sardonic humor of both the Onondaga and +the hunter was well to the fore. Holding a juicy bear steak in +his hand, Tayoga walked over to the helpless spy and examined him +critically.</p> + +<p>"Too fat," he said judicially, "much too fat for those who would roam +the forest. Woodsmen, scouts and runners should be lean. It burdens +them to carry weight. And you, Achille Garay, will be much better off, +if you drop twenty pounds."</p> + +<p>"Twenty pounds, Tayoga!" exclaimed Willet, who had joined him, a whole +roasted pigeon in his hands. "How can you make such an underestimate! +Our rotund Monsieur would be far more graceful and far more healthy +if he dropped forty pounds! And it behooves us, his trainers and +physicians, to see that he drops 'em. Then he will go back to Albany +and to his good friend, Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, a far handsomer man +than he was when he left. It may be that he'll be so much improved +that Mynheer Hendrik will not know him. Truly, Tayoga, this wild +pigeon has a most savory taste! When wild pigeon is well cooked and +the air of the forest has sharpened your appetite to a knife edge +nothing is finer."</p> + +<p>"But it is no better than the tender steak of young bear," said +Tayoga, with all the inflections of a gourmand. "The people of my +nation and of all the Indian nations have always loved bear. It is +tenderer even than venison and it contains more juices. For the hungry +man nothing is superior to the taste or for the building up of sinews +and muscles than the steak of fat young bear."</p> + +<p>Garay writhed again in his bonds, and closed his eyes that he might +shut away the vision of the two. Robert was forced to smile. At half +past two, as he judged it to be by the sun, Willet said to Garay once +more:</p> + +<p>"The papers, Monsieur Achille."</p> + +<p>But Garay, sullen and obstinate, refused to reply. The hunter did not +repeat the question then, but went back to the fire, whistling gayly a +light tune. The three were spending the day in homely toil, polishing +their weapons, cleaning their clothing, and making the numerous little +repairs, necessary after a prolonged and arduous campaign. They were +very cheerful about it, too. Why shouldn't they be? Both Tayoga and +the hunter had scouted in wide circles about the camp, and had seen +that there was no danger. For a vast distance they and their prisoner +were alone in the forest. So, they luxuriated and with abundance of +appetizing food made up for their long period of short commons.</p> + +<p>At half past four Willet repeated his question, but the lips of the +spy remained tightly closed.</p> + +<p>"Remember that I'm not urging you," said the hunter, politely. "I'm a +believer in personal independence and I like people to do what they +want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else. So I +tell you to think it over. We've plenty of time. We can stay here a +week, two weeks, if need be. We'd rather you felt sure you were right +before you made up your mind. Then you wouldn't be remorseful about +any mistake."</p> + +<p>"A wise man meditates long before he speaks," said Tayoga, "and it +follows then that our Achille Garay is very wise. He knows, too, that +his figure is improving already. He has lost at least five pounds."</p> + +<p>"Nearer eight I sum it up, Tayoga," said Willet. "The improvement is +very marked."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, Great Bear. Eight it is and you also speak +truly about the improvement. If our Monsieur Garay were able to stand +up and walk he would be much more graceful than he was, when he so +kindly marched into our guiding hands."</p> + +<p>"Don't pay him too many compliments, Tayoga. They'll prove trying to +a modest man. Come away, now. Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next +two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon +such a communion?"</p> + +<p>"The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great +Bear. For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts."</p> + +<p>At half past six came the question, "Your papers?" once more, and +Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled. +Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads +prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild +grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes +being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to +the eye as well as to the taste.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have +in me just a trace of the epicure. I find, despite my years in the +wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of +decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands."</p> + +<p>"In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a +banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to +it that the eye also may have its feast. It is not a weakness, but an +excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations."</p> + +<p>They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the +fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation. The +ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter +came frequently to the ears of Garay. At half past eight the question, +grown deadly by repetition, was asked, and, when only a curse came, +Willet said:</p> + +<p>"As it is night I'll ask you, Achille Garay, for your papers only +once every four hours. That is the interval at which we'll change our +guard, and we don't wish, either, to disturb you many times in your +pleasant slumbers. It would not be right to call a man back too often +from the land of Tarenyawagon, who, you may know, is the Iroquois +sender of dreams."</p> + +<p>Garay, whom they had now laid tenderly upon the floor of the hut, +turned his face away, and Willet went back to the fire, humming in a +pleased fashion to himself. At half past twelve he awoke Garay from +his uneasy sleep and propounded to him his dreadful query, grown +terrifying by its continual iteration. At half past four Tayoga asked +it, and it was not necessary then to awake Garay. He had not slept +since half past twelve. He snarled at the Iroquois, and then sank back +on the blanket that they had kindly placed for him. Tayoga, his bronze +face expressing nothing, went back to his watch by the fire.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was cooked by Robert and Willet, and again it was luscious +and varied. Robert had risen early and he caught several of the fine +lake trout that he broiled delicately over the coals. He had +also gathered grapes fresh with the morning dew, and wonderfully +appetizing, and some of the best of the nuts were left over. Bear, +deer, venison and turkey they still had in abundance.</p> + +<p>The morning itself was the finest they had encountered so far. Much +snow had fallen in the high mountains, but winter had not touched the +earth here. The deep colors of the leaves, moved by the light wind, +shifted and changed like a prism. The glorious haze of Indian summer +hung over everything like a veil of finest gauze. The air was +surcharged with vitality and life. It was pleasant merely to sit and +breathe at such a time.</p> + +<p>"I've always claimed," said Robert, as he passed a beautifully broiled +trout to Tayoga and another to the hunter, "that I can cook fish +better than either of you. Dave, I freely admit, can surpass me in the +matter of venison and Tayoga is a finer hand with bear than I am, but +I'm a specialist with fish, be it salmon, or trout, or salmon trout, +or perch or pickerel or what not."</p> + +<p>"Your boast is justified, in very truth, Robert," said Willet. "I've +known none other who can prepare a fish with as much tenderness and +perfection as you. I suppose 'tis born in you, but you have a way of +preserving the juices and savors which defies description and which is +beyond praise. 'Tis worth going hungry a long while to put one's tooth +into so delicate a morsel as this salmon trout, and 'tis a great pity, +too, that our guest, Monsieur Achille Garay, will not join us, when +we've an abundance so great and a variety so rich."</p> + +<p>The wretched spy and intermediary could hear every word they said, and +Robert fell silent, but the hunter and the Onondaga talked freely and +with abounding zest.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a painful thing," said Willet, "to offer hospitality and to +have it refused. Monsieur Garay knows that he would be welcome at our +board, and yet he will not come. I fear, Robert, that you have cooked +too many of these superlative fish, and that they must even go to +waste, which is a sin. They would make an admirable beginning for our +guest's breakfast, if he would but consent to join us."</p> + +<p>"It is told by the wise old sachems of the great League," said Tayoga, +"that warriors have gone many days without food, when plenty of it +was ready for their taking, merely to test their strength of body and +will. Their sufferings were acute and terrible. Their flesh wasted +away, their muscles became limp and weak, their sight failed, pain +stabbed them with a thousand needles, but they would not yield and +touch sustenance before the time appointed."</p> + +<p>"I've heard of many such cases, Tayoga, and I've seen some, but it was +always warriors who were doing the fasting. I doubt whether white men +could stand it so long, and 'tis quite sure they would suffer more. +About the third day 'twould be as bad as being tied to the stake in the +middle of the flames."</p> + +<p>"Great Bear speaks the truth, as he always does. No white man can +stand it. If he tried it his sufferings would be beyond anything of +which he might dream."</p> + +<p>A groan burst suddenly from the wretched Garay. The hunter and the +Onondaga looked at each other and their eyes expressed astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear a sound in the thicket?" asked Willet.</p> + +<p>"I think it came from the boughs overhead," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"I could have sworn 'twas the growl of a bear."</p> + +<p>"To me it sounded like the croak of a crow."</p> + +<p>"After all, we may have heard nothing. Imagination plays strange +tricks with us."</p> + +<p>"It is true, Great Bear. We hear queer sounds when there are no sounds +at all. The air is full of spirits, and now and then they have sport +with us."</p> + +<p>A second groan burst from Garay, now more wretched than ever.</p> + +<p>"I heard it again!" exclaimed the hunter. "'Tis surely the growl of +a bear in the bush! The sound was like that of an angry wild animal! +But, we'll let it go. The sun tells meet's half past eight o'clock and +I go to ask our guest the usual question."</p> + +<p>"Enough!" exclaimed Garay. "I yield! I cannot bear this any longer!"</p> + +<p>"Your papers, please!"</p> + +<p>"Unbind me and give me food!"</p> + +<p>"Your papers first, our fish next."</p> + +<p>As he spoke the hunter leaned over, and with his keen hunting knife +severed Garay's bonds. The man sat up, rubbed his wrists and ankles +and breathed deeply.</p> + +<p>"Your papers!" repeated Willet.</p> + +<p>"Bring me my pistol, the one that the Indian filched from me while I +slept," said Garay.</p> + +<p>"Your pistol!" exclaimed the hunter, in surprise. "Now I'd certainly +be foolish to hand you a deadly and loaded weapon!"</p> + +<p>But Robert's quick intellect comprehended at once. He snatched the +heavy pistol from the Onondaga's belt, drew forth the bullet and then +drew the charge behind it, not powder at all, but a small, tightly +folded paper of tough tissue, which he held aloft triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Very clever! very clever!" said Willet in admiration. "The pistol was +loaded, but 'twould never be fired, and nobody would have thought of +searching its barrel. Tayoga, give Monsieur Garay the two spare fish +and anything else he wants, but see that he eats sparingly because a +gorge will go ill with a famished man, and then we'll have a look at +his precious document."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga treated Garay as the honored guest they had been calling +him, giving him the whole variety of their breakfast, but, at guarded +intervals, which allowed him to relish to the full all the savors and +juices that had been taunting him so long. Willet opened the letter, +smoothed it out carefully on his knee, and holding it up to the light +until the words stood out clearly, read:</p> + +<p>"To Hendrik Martinus At Albany.</p> + +<p>"The intermediary of whom you know, the bearer of this letter, has +brought me word from you that the English Colonial troops, after the +unfortunate battle at Lake George, have not pushed their victory. He +also informs us that the governors of the English colonies do not +agree, and that there is much ill feeling among the different Colonial +forces. He says that Johnson still suffering from his wound, does not +move, and that the spirit has gone out of our enemies. All of which is +welcome news to us at this juncture, since it has given to us the time +that we need.</p> + +<p>"Our defeat but incites us to greater efforts. The Indian tribes who +have cast their lot with us are loyal to our arms. All the forces of +France and New France are being assembled to crush our foes. We have +lost Dieskau, but a great soldier, Louis Joseph de Saint Véran, the +Marquis de Montcalm-Gozon, is coming from France to lead our armies. +He will be assisted by the incomparable chieftains, the Chevalier de +Levis, the Chevalier Bourlamaque and others who understand the warfare +of the wilderness. Even now we are preparing to move with a great +power on Albany and we may surprise the town.</p> + +<p>"Tell those of whom you know in Albany and New York to be ready with +rifles and ammunition and other presents for the Indian warriors. Much +depends upon their skill and promptness in delivering these valuable +goods to the tribes. It seals them to our standard. They can be landed +at the places of which we know, and then be carried swiftly across the +wilderness. But I bid you once more to exercise exceeding caution. Let +no name of those associated with us ever be entrusted to writing, as a +single slip might bring our whole fabric crashing to the ground, and +send to death those who serve us. After you have perused this letter +destroy it. Do not tear it in pieces and throw them away but burn it +to the last and least little fragment. In conclusion I say yet again, +caution, caution, caution.</p> + +<p>Raymond Louis de St. Luc."</p> + +<p>The three looked at one another. Garay was in the third course of his +breakfast, and no longer took notice of anything else.</p> + +<p>"Those associated with us in Albany and New York," quoted Willet. "Now +I wonder who they are. I might make a shrewd guess at one, but no +names are given and as we have no proof we must keep silent about him +for the present. Yet this paper is of vast importance and it must be +put in hands that know how to value it."</p> + +<p>"Then the hands must be those of Colonel William Johnson," said +Robert.</p> + +<p>"I fancy you're right, lad. Yet 'tis hard just now to decide upon the +wisest policy."</p> + +<p>"The colonel is the real leader of our forces," persisted the lad. +"It's to him that we must go."</p> + +<p>"It looks so, Robert, but for a few days we've got to consider +ourselves. Now that we have his letter I wish we didn't have Garay."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't really have starved him, would you, Dave? Somehow it +seemed pretty hard."</p> + +<p>The hunter laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart, lad," he replied. "Don't you be troubled about the +way we dealt with Garay. I knew all the while that he would never get +to the starving point, or I wouldn't have tried it with him. I knew by +looking at him that his isn't the fiber of which martyrs are made. I +calculated that he would give up last night or this morning."</p> + +<p>"Are we going to take him back with us a prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"That's the trouble. As a spy, which he undoubtedly is, his life is +forfeit, but we are not executioners. For scouts and messengers such +as we are he'd be a tremendous burden to take along with us. Moreover, +I think that after his long fast he'd eat all the game we could kill, +and we don't propose to spend our whole time feeding one of our +enemies."</p> + +<p>"Call Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga came and then young Lennox said to his two comrades:</p> + +<p>"Are you willing to trust me in the matter of Garay, our prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," they replied together.</p> + +<p>Robert went to the man, who was still immersed in his gross feeding, +and tapped him on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Garay," he said. "You're the bearer of secret and treacherous +dispatches, and you're a spy. You must know that under all the rules +of war your life is forfeit to your captors."</p> + +<p>Garay's face became gray and ghastly.</p> + +<p>"You—you wouldn't murder me?" he said.</p> + +<p>"There could be no such thing as murder in your case, and we won't +take your life, either."</p> + +<p>The face of the intermediary recovered its lost color.</p> + +<p>"You will spare me, then?" he exclaimed joyfully.</p> + +<p>"In a way, yes, but we're not going to carry you back in luxury to +Albany, nor are we thinking of making you an honored member of our +band. You've quite a time before you."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you."</p> + +<p>"You will soon. You're going back to the Chevalier de St. Luc who has +little patience with failure, and you'll find that the road to him +abounds in hard traveling. It may be, too, that the savage Tandakora +will ask you some difficult questions, but if so, Monsieur Achille +Garay, it will be your task to answer them, and I take it that you +have a fertile mind. In any event, you will be equipped to meet him by +your journey, which will be full of variety and effort and which will +strengthen and harden your mind."</p> + +<p>The face of Garay paled again, and he gazed at Robert in a sort of +dazed fashion. The imagination of young Lennox was alive and leaping. +He had found what seemed to him a happy solution of a knotty problem, +and, as usual in such cases, his speech became fluent and golden.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll enjoy it, Monsieur Achille Garay," he said in his mellow, +persuasive voice. "The forest is beautiful at this time of the year +and the mountains are so magnificent always that they must appeal to +anyone who has in his soul the strain of poetry that I know you have. +The snow, too, I think has gone from the higher peaks and ridges and +you will not be troubled by extreme cold. If you should wander from +the path back to St. Luc you will have abundant leisure in which to +find it again, because for quite a while to come time will be of no +importance to you. And as you'll go unarmed, you'll be in no danger of +shooting your friends by mistake."</p> + +<p>"You're not going to turn me into the wilderness to starve?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. We'll give you plenty of food. Tayoga and I will see you +well on your way. Now, since you've eaten enough, you start at once."</p> + +<p>Tayoga and the hunter fell in readily with Robert's plan. The captive +received enough food to last four days, which he carried in a pack +fastened on his back, and then Robert and Tayoga accompanied him +northward and back on the trail.</p> + +<p>Much of Garay's courage returned as they marched steadily on through +the forest. When he summed it up he found that he had fared well. His +captors had really been soft-hearted. It was not usual for one serving +as an intermediary and spy like himself to escape, when taken, with +his life and even with freedom. Life! How precious it was! Young +Lennox had said that the forest was beautiful, and it was! It was +splendid, grand, glorious to one who had just come out of the jaws of +death, and the air of late autumn was instinct with vitality. He drew +himself up jauntily, and his step became strong and springy.</p> + +<p>They walked on many miles and Robert, whose speech had been so fluent +before, was silent now. Nor did the Onondaga speak either. Garay +himself hazarded a few words, but meeting with no response his spirits +fell a little. The trail led over a low ridge, and at its crest his +two guards stopped.</p> + +<p>"Here we bid you farewell, Monsieur Achille Garay," said Robert. +"Doubtless you will wish to commune with your own thoughts and our +presence will no longer disturb you. Our parting advice to you is to +give up the trade in which you have been engaged. It is full perilous, +and it may be cut short at any time by sudden death. Moreover, it is +somewhat bare of honor, and even if it should be crowned by continued +success 'tis success of a kind that's of little value. Farewell."</p> + +<p>"Farewell," said Garay, and almost before he could realize it, the two +figures had melted into the forest behind him. A weight was lifted +from him with their going, and once more his spirits bounded upward. +He was Achille Garay, bold and venturesome, and although he was +without weapons he did not fear two lads.</p> + +<p>Three miles farther on he turned. He did not care to face St. Luc, his +letter lost, and the curious, dogged obstinacy that lay at the back of +his character prevailed. He would go back. He would reach those for +whom his letter had been intended, Martinus and the others, and he +would win the rich rewards that had been promised to him. He had +plenty of food, he would make a wide curve, advance at high speed and +get to Albany ahead of the foolish three.</p> + +<p>He turned his face southward and walked swiftly through the thickets. +A rifle cracked and a twig overhead severed by a bullet fell upon his +face. Garay shivered and stood still for a long time. Courage trickled +back, and he resumed his advance, though it was slow. A second rifle +cracked, and a bullet passed so close to his cheek that he felt its +wind. He could not restrain a cry of terror, and turning again he fled +northward to St. Luc.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<br> + +<h3>PUPILS OF THE BEAR</h3> + +<p>When Robert and Tayoga returned to the camp and told Willet what they +had done the hunter laughed a little.</p> + +<p>"Garay doesn't want to face St. Luc," he said, "but he will do it +anyhow. He won't dare to come back on the trail in face of bullets, +and now we're sure to deliver his letter in ample time."</p> + +<p>"Should we go direct to Albany?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>The hunter cupped his chin in his hand and meditated.</p> + +<p>"I'm all for Colonel Johnson," he replied at last. "He understands the +French and Indians and has more vigor than the authorities at Albany. +It seems likely to me that he will still be at the head of Lake George +where we left him, perhaps building the fort of which they were +talking before we left there."</p> + +<p>"His wound did not give promise of getting well so very early," said +Robert, "and he would not move while he was in a weakened condition."</p> + +<p>"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll +turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes +necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it."</p> + +<p>"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead +of Albany."</p> + +<p>They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a +journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake +that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought +that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had +passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him +to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain.</p> + +<p>They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a +wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before +the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band +traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also +found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga +examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest +over a pair uncommonly long and slender.</p> + +<p>"I think they're his," the hunter finally said.</p> + +<p>"So do I," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl."</p> + +<p>"It can be only the Owl."</p> + +<p>"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified.</p> + +<p>"The Owl is, in truth, a most dangerous man," replied the hunter. "His +name, which the Indians have given him, indicates he works by night, +though he's no sloth in the day, either. But he has another name, +also, the one by which he was christened. It's Charles Langlade, a +young Frenchman who was a trader before the war. I've seen him more +than once. He's mighty shrewd and alert, uncommon popular among the +western Indians, who consider him as one of them because he married a +good looking young Indian woman at Green Bay, and a great forester and +wilderness fighter. It's wonderful how the French adapt themselves to +the ways of the Indians and how they take wives among them. I suppose +the marriage tie is one of their greatest sources of strength with the +tribes. Now, Tayoga, why do you think the Owl is here so far to the +eastward of his usual range?"</p> + +<p>"He and his warriors are looking for scalps, Great Bear, and it may be +that they have seen St. Luc. They were traveling fast and they are now +between us and Andiatarocte. I like it but little."</p> + +<p>"Not any less than I do. It upsets our plans. We must leave the trail, +or like as not we'll run squarely into a big band. What a pity our +troops didn't press on after the victory at the lake. Instead of +driving the French and Indians out of the whole northern wilderness +we've left it entirely to them."</p> + +<p>They turned from the trail with reluctance, because, strong and +enduring as they were, incessant hardships, long traveling and battle +were beginning to tell upon all three, and they were unwilling to be +climbing again among the high mountains. But there was no choice and +night found them on a lofty ridge in a dense thicket. The hunter and +the Onondaga were disturbed visibly over the advent of Langlade, and +their uneasiness was soon communicated to the sympathetic mind of +Robert.</p> + +<p>The night being very clear, sown with shining stars, they saw rings of +smoke rising toward the east, and outlined sharply against the dusky +blue.</p> + +<p>"That's Langlade sending up signals," said the hunter, anxiously, "and +he wouldn't do it unless he had something to talk about."</p> + +<p>"When one man speaks another man answers," said Tayoga. "Now from what +point will come the reply?"</p> + +<p>Robert felt excitement. These rings of smoke in the blue were full +of significance for them, and the reply to the first signal would be +vital. "Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly. The answer came from the west, +directly behind them.</p> + +<p>"I think they've discovered our trail," said Willet. "They didn't +learn it from Garay, because Langlade passed before we sent him back, +but they might have heard from St. Luc or Tandakora that we were +somewhere in the forest. It's bad. If it weren't for the letter we +could turn sharply to the north and stay in the woods till Christmas, +if need be."</p> + +<p>"We may have to do so, whether we wish it or not," said Tayoga. "The +shortest way is not always the best."</p> + +<p>Before morning they saw other smoke signals in the south, and it +became quite evident then that the passage could not be tried, except +at a risk perhaps too great to take.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust +to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find +Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain."</p> + +<p>At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they +saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last +lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared. It became +quite evident to their trained observation and the powers of inference +from circumstances which had become almost a sixth sense with them +that there was a vigorous pursuit, closing in from three points of the +compass, south, east and west. They slept again the next night in the +forest without fire and arose the following morning cold, stiff and +out of temper. While they eased their muscles and prepared for the +day's flight they resolved upon a desperate expedient.</p> + +<p>It was vital now to carry the letter to Johnson and then to Albany, +which they considered more important than their own escape, and they +could not afford to be driven farther and farther into the recesses of +the north, while St. Luc might be marching with a formidable force on +Albany itself.</p> + +<p>"With us it's unite to fight and divide for flight," said Robert, +divining what was in the mind of the others.</p> + +<p>"The decision is forced upon us," said Willet, regretfully.</p> + +<p>Tayoga nodded.</p> + +<p>"We'll read the letter again several times, until all of us know it by +heart," said the hunter.</p> + +<p>The precious document was produced, and they went over it until each +could repeat it from memory. Then Willet said:</p> + +<p>"I'm the oldest and I'll take the letter and go south past their +bands. One can slip through where three can't."</p> + +<p>He spoke with such decision that the others, although Tayoga wanted +the task of risk and honor, said nothing.</p> + +<p>"And do you, Robert and Tayoga," resumed the hunter, "continue your +flight to the northward. You can keep ahead of these bands, and, when +you discover the chase has stopped, curve back for Lake George. If by +any chance I should fall by the way, though it's not likely, you can +repeat the letter to Colonel Johnson, and let's hope you'll be in +time. Now good-by, and God bless you both."</p> + +<p>Willet never displayed emotion, but his feeling was very deep as he +wrung the outstretched hand of each. Then he turned at an angle to the +east and south and disappeared in the undergrowth.</p> + +<p>"He has been more than a father to me," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a man, a man who is pleasing to Areskoui himself," +said Tayoga with emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he will get safely through?"</p> + +<p>"There is no warrior, not even of the Clan of the Bear, of the Nation +Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who can surpass the +Great Bear in forest skill and cunning. In the night he will creep by +Tandakora himself, with such stealth, that not a leaf will stir, and +there will be not the slightest whisper in the grass. His step, too, +will be so light that his trail will be no more than a bird's in the +air."</p> + +<p>Robert laughed and felt better.</p> + +<p>"You don't stint the praise of a friend, Tayoga," he said, "but I know +that at least three-fourths of what you say is true. Now, I take it +that you and I are to play the hare to Langlade's hounds, and that in +doing so we'll be of great help to Dave."</p> + +<p>"Aye," agreed the Onondaga, and they swung into their gait. Robert had +received Garay's pistol which, being of the same bore as his own, was +now loaded with bullet and powder, instead of bullet and paper, and it +swung at his belt, while Tayoga carried the intermediary's rifle, a +fine piece. It made an extra burden, but they had been unwilling +to throw it away—a rifle was far too valuable on the border to be +abandoned.</p> + +<p>They maintained a good pace until noon, and, as they heard no sound +behind them, less experienced foresters than they might have thought +the pursuit had ceased, but they knew better. It had merely settled +into that tenacious kind which was a characteristic of the Indian +mind, and unless they could hide their trail it would continue in the +same determined manner for days. At noon, they paused a half hour in a +dense grove and ate bear and deer meat, sauced with some fine, black +wild grapes, the vines hanging thick on one of the trees.</p> + +<p>"Think of those splendid banquets we enjoyed when Garay was sitting +looking at us, though not sharing with us," said Robert.</p> + +<p>Tayoga smiled at the memory and said:</p> + +<p>"If he had been able to hold out a little longer he would have had +plenty of food, and we would not have had the letter. The Great Bear +would never have starved him."</p> + +<p>"I know that now, Tayoga, and I learn from it that we're to hold out +too, long after we think we're lost, if we're to be the victors."</p> + +<p>They came in the afternoon to a creek, flowing in their chosen course, +and despite the coldness of its waters, which rose almost to their +knees, they waded a long time in its bed. When they went out on the +bank they took off their leggings and moccasins, wrung or beat out of +them as much of the water as they could, and then let them dry for a +space in the sun, while they rubbed vigorously their ankles and feet +to create warmth. They knew that Langlade's men would follow on either +side of the creek until they picked up the trail again, but their +maneuver would create a long delay, and give them a rest needed badly.</p> + +<p>"Have you anything in mind, Tayoga?" asked Robert. "You know that the +farther north and higher we go the colder it will become, and our +flight may take us again into the very heart of a great snow storm."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga, but it is also so that I do have a plan. I think +I know the country into which we are coming, and that tells me what to +do. The people of my race, living from the beginning of the world in +the great forest, have not been too proud to learn from the animals, +and of all the animals we know perhaps the wisest is the bear."</p> + +<p>"The bear is scarcely an animal, Tayoga. He is almost a human being. +He has as good a sense of humor as we have, and he is more careful +about minding his own business, and letting alone that of other +people."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is not without wisdom. We will even learn from the bear. +A hundred miles to the north of us there is a vast rocky region +containing many caves, where the bears go in great numbers to sleep +the long winters through. It is not much disturbed, because it is +a dangerous country, lying between the Hodenosaunee and the Indian +nations to the north, with which we have been at war for centuries. +There we will go."</p> + +<p>"And hole up until our peril passes! Your plan appeals to me, Tayoga! +I will imitate the bear! I will even be a bear!"</p> + +<p>"We will take the home of one of them before he comes for it himself, +and we will do him no injustice, because the wise bear can always find +another somewhere else."</p> + +<p>"They're fine caves, of course!" exclaimed Robert, buoyantly, his +imagination, which was such a powerful asset with him, flaming up as +usual. "Dry and clean, with plenty of leaves for beds, and with nice +little natural shelves for food, and a pleasant little brook just +outside the door. It will be pleasant to lie in our own cave, the best +one of course, and hear the snow and sleet storms whistle by, while +we're warm and comfortable. If we only had complete assurance that +Dave was through with the letter I'd be willing to stay there until +spring."</p> + +<p>Tayoga smiled indulgently.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is always dreaming," he said, "but bright dreams hurt +nobody."</p> + +<p>When night came, they were many more miles on their way, but it was +a very cold darkness that fell upon them and they shivered in their +blankets. Robert made no complaint, but he longed for the caves, of +which he was making such splendid pictures. Shortly before morning, a +light snow fell and the dawn was chill and discouraging, so much so +that Tayoga risked a fire for the sake of brightness and warmth.</p> + +<p>"Langlade's men will come upon the coals we leave," he said, "but +since we have not shaken them off it will make no difference. How much +food have we left, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Not more than enough for three days."</p> + +<p>"Then it is for us to find more soon. It is another risk that we must +take. I wish I had with me now my bow and arrows which I left at the +lake, instead of Garay's rifle. But Areskoui will provide."</p> + +<p>The day turned much colder, and the streams to which they came were +frozen over. By night, the ice was thick enough to sustain their +weight and they traveled on it for a long time, their thick moosehide +moccasins keeping their feet warm, and saving them from falling. +Before they returned to the land it began to snow again, and Tayoga +rejoiced openly.</p> + +<p>"Now a white blanket will lie over the trail we have left on the ice," +he said, "hiding it from the keenest eyes that ever were in a man's +head."</p> + +<p>Then they crossed a ridge and came upon a lake, by the side of which +they saw through the snow and darkness a large fire burning. Creeping +nearer, they discerned dusky forms before the flames and made out a +band of at least twenty warriors, many of them sound asleep, wrapped +to the eyes in their blankets.</p> + +<p>"Have they passed ahead of us and are they here meaning to guard the +way against us?" whispered Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, it is not one of the bands that has been following us," replied +the Onondaga. "This is a war party going south, and not much stained +as yet by time and travel. They are Montagnais, come from Montreal. +They seek scalps, but not ours, because they do not know of us."</p> + +<p>Robert shuddered. These savages, like as not, would fall at midnight +upon some lone settlement, and his intense imagination depicted the +hideous scenes to follow.</p> + +<p>"Come away," he whispered. "Since they don't know anything about us +we'll keep them in ignorance. I'm longing more than ever for my warm +bear cave."</p> + +<p>They disappeared in the falling snow, which would soon hide their +trail here, as it had hidden it elsewhere, and left the lake behind +them, not stopping until they came to a deep and narrow gorge in the +mountains, so well sheltered by overhanging bushes that no snow fell +there. They raked up great quantities of dry leaves, after the usual +fashion, and spread their blankets upon them, poor enough quarters +save for the hardiest, but made endurable for them by custom and +intense weariness. Both fell asleep almost at once, and both awoke +about the same time far after dawn.</p> + +<p>Robert moved his stiff fingers in his blanket and sat up, feeling cold +and dismal. Tayoga was sitting up also, and the two looked at each +other.</p> + +<p>"In very truth those bear caves never seemed more inviting to me," +said young Lennox, solemnly, "and yet I only see them from afar."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga has fallen in love with bear caves," said the Onondaga, in +a whimsical tone. "The time is not so far back when he never talked +about them at all, and now words in their praise fall from his lips in +a stream."</p> + +<p>"It's because I've experienced enlightenment, Tayoga. It is only in +the last two or three days that I've learned the vast superiority of a +cave to any other form of human habitation. Our remote ancestors lived +in them two or three hundred thousand years, and we've been living in +houses of wood or brick or stone only six or seven thousand years, I +suppose, and so the cave, if you judge by the length of time, is our +true home. Hence I'm filled with a just enthusiasm at the thought of +going back speedily to the good old ways and the good old days. It's +possible, Tayoga, that our remote grandfathers knew best."</p> + +<p>"When Dagaeoga comes to his death bed, seventy or eighty years from +now, and the medicine man tells him but little more breath is left in +his body, what then do you think he will do?"</p> + +<p>"What will I do, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"You will say to the medicine man, 'Tell me exactly how long I have +to live,' and the medicine man will reply: 'Ten minutes, O Dagaeoga, +venerable chief and great orator.' Then you will say: 'Let all the +people be summoned and let them crowd into the wigwam in which I lie,' +and when they have all come and stand thick about your bed, you will +say, 'Now raise me into a sitting position and put the pillows thick +behind my back and head that I may lean against them.' Then you +will speak to the people. The words will flow from your lips in a +continuous and golden stream. It will be the finest speech of your +life. It will be filled with magnificent words, many of them, eight or +ten syllables long. It will be mellow like the call of a trumpet. It +will be armed with force, and it will be beautiful with imagery; it +will be suffused and charged with color, it will be the very essence +of poetry and power, and as the aged Dagaeoga draws his very last +breath so he will speak his very last word, and thus, in a golden +cloud, his soul will go away into infinite space, to dwell forever +in the bosom of Manitou, with the immortal sachems, Tododaho and +Hayowentha!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know, Tayoga, I think that would be a happy death," said +Robert earnestly.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Thus does Dagaeoga show his true nature," he said. "He was born with +the spirit and soul of the orator, and the fact is disclosed often. It +is well. The orator, be he white or red, will lose himself sometimes +in his own words, but he is a gift from the gods, sent to lift up the +souls, and cheer the rest of us. He is the bugle that calls us to the +chase and we must not forget that his value is great."</p> + +<p>"And having said a whole cargo of words yourself Tayoga, now what do +you propose that we do?"</p> + +<p>"Push on with all our strength for the caves. I know now we are on the +right path, because I recall the country through which we are passing. +At noon we will reach a small lake, in which the fish are so numerous +that there is not room for them all at the same time in the water. +They have to take turns in getting the air above the surface on top of +the others. For that reason the fish of this lake are different from +all other fish. They will live a full hour on the bank after they are +caught."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, in very truth, you've learned our ways well. You've become a +prince of romancers yourself."</p> + +<p>At the appointed time they reached the lake. There were no fish above +its surface, but the Onondaga claimed it was due to the fact that the +lake was covered with ice which of course kept them down, and which +crowded them excessively, and very uncomfortably. They broke two big +holes in the ice, let down the lines which they always carried, the +hooks baited with fragments of meat, and were soon rewarded with +splendid fish, as much as they needed.</p> + +<p>Tayoga with his usual skill lighted a fire, despite the driving snow, +and they had a banquet, taking with them afterward a supply of the +cooked fish, though they knew they could not rely upon fish alone in +the winter days that were coming. But fortune was with them. Before +dark, Robert shot a deer, a great buck, fine and fat. They had so +little fear of pursuit now that they cut up the body, saving the skin +whole for tanning, and hung the pieces in the trees, there to +freeze. Although it would make quite a burden they intended to carry +practically all of it with them.</p> + +<p>Many mountain wolves were drawn that night by the odor of the spoils, +but they lay between twin fires and had no fear of an attack. Yet the +time might come when they would be assailed by fierce wild animals, +and now they were glad that Tayoga had kept Garay's rifle, and also +his ammunition, a good supply of powder and bullets. It was possible +that the question of ammunition might become vital with them, but they +did not yet talk of it.</p> + +<p>On the second day thereafter, bearing their burdens of what had been +the deer, they reached the stony valley Tayoga had in mind, and Robert +saw at once that its formation indicated many caves.</p> + +<p>"Now, I wonder if the bears have come," he said, putting down his pack +and resting. "The cold has been premature and perhaps they're still +roaming through the forest. I shouldn't want to put an interloper out +of my own particular cave, but, if I have to do it, I will."</p> + +<p>"The bears haven't arrived yet," said Tayoga, "and we can choose. I do +not know, but I do not think a bear always occupies the same winter +home, so we will not have to fight over our place."</p> + +<p>It was a really wonderful valley, where the decaying stone had made a +rich assortment of small caves, many of them showing signs of former +occupancy by large wild animals, and, after long searching, they found +one that they could make habitable for themselves. Its entrance was +several feet above the floor of the valley, so that neither storm nor +winter flood could send water into it, and its own floor was fairly +smooth, with a roof eight or ten feet high. It could be easily +defended with their three rifles, the aperture being narrow, and they +expected, with skins and pelts, to make it warm.</p> + +<p>It was but a cold and bleak refuge for all save the hardiest, and +for a little while Robert had to use his last ounce of will to save +himself from discouragement. But vigorous exertion and keen interest +in the future brought back his optimism. The hide of the deer they had +slain was spread at once upon the cave floor and made a serviceable +rug. They spoke hopefully of soon adding to it.</p> + +<p>A brook flowed less than a hundred yards away, and they would have +no trouble about their water supply, while the country about seemed +highly favorable for game. But on their first day there they did not +do any hunting. They rolled several large stones before the door of +their new home, making it secure against any prying wild animals, and +then, after a hearty meal, they wrapped themselves in their blankets +and slept prodigiously.</p> + +<p>Tayoga went into the forest the next day and set traps and snares, +while Robert worked in the valley, breaking up fallen wood to be used +for fires, and doing other chores. The Onondaga in the next three or +four days shot a large panther, a little bear, and caught in the traps +and snares a quantity of small game. The big pelts and the little +pelts, after proper treatment, were spread upon the floor or hung +against the walls of the cave, which now began to assume a much more +inviting aspect, and the flesh of the animals that were eatable, cured +after the primitive but effective processes, was stored there also.</p> + +<p>Providence granted them a period of good weather, days and nights +alike being clear and cold. The game, evidently not molested for a +long time, fairly walked into their traps, and they were compelled to +draw but little upon their precious supply of ammunition. Food for the +future accumulated rapidly, and the floor and walls of the cave were +soon covered entirely with furs.</p> + +<p>Not one of the numerous caves and hollows about them contained an +occupant and Robert wondered if their presence would frighten away the +wild animals, so many of which had hibernated there so often. Yet he +had a belief that the bears would come. His present mode of life and +his isolation from the world gave him a feeling almost of kinship with +them, and in some strange way, and through some medium unknown to him, +they might reciprocate. He and Tayoga had killed several bears, it was +true, but far from the cave, and they made up their minds to molest +nothing in the valley or just about it.</p> + +<p>It was a land of many waters and they caught with ease numerous fish, +drying all the surplus and storing it with the other food in the cave. +They also made soft beds for themselves of the little branches of the +evergreen, over which they spread their blankets, and when they rolled +the stone before the doorway at night they never failed to sleep +soundly.</p> + +<p>They did their cooking in front of the cave door, but it was always +a smothered fire. While they felt safe from wandering bands in that +lofty and remote region, they took no unnecessary risks. The valley +itself, though deep, was much broken up into separate little valleys, +and most of the caves were hidden from their own. It was this fact +that made Robert still think the bears would come, despite coals and +flame. In the evenings they would talk of Willet, and both were firm +in the opinion that the hunter had got through to Lake George and that +Johnson and Albany had been warned in time. Each was confirmed in his +opinion by the other and in a few days it became certainty.</p> + +<p>"I think Tododaho on his star whispered in my ear while I slept that +Great Bear has passed the hostile lines," said Tayoga with conviction, +"because I know it, just as if the Great Bear himself had told it to +me, though I do not know how I know it."</p> + +<p>"It's some sort of mysterious information," said Robert in the same +tone of absolute belief, "and I don't worry any more about Dave and +the letter. The men of the Hodenosaunee seem to have a special gift. +You know the old chief, Hendrik, foretold that he would die on the +shores of Andiatarocte, and it came to pass just as he had said."</p> + +<p>"It was a glorious death, Dagaeoga, and it was, perhaps, he who saved +our army, and made the victory possible."</p> + +<p>"So it was. There's not a doubt of it, but, here, I don't feel much +like taking part in a war. The great struggle seems to have passed +around us for a while, at least. I appear to myself as a man of peace, +occupied wholly with the struggle for existence and with preparations +for a hard winter. I don't want to harm anything."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's because nothing we know of wants to harm us. But, +Dagaeoga, if the bears come at all they will come quickly, because in +a few days winter will be roaring down upon us."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, we must hurry our labors, and since the mysterious +message brought in some manner through the air has told us that Dave +has reached the lake, I'm rather anxious for it to rush down. While it +keeps us here it will also hold back the forces of St. Luc."</p> + +<p>"That's true, Dagaeoga. It's a poor snow that doesn't help somebody. +Now, I will make a bow and arrow to take the place of my great bow and +quiver, which await me elsewhere, because we must draw but little upon +our powder and bullets."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga had hatchet and knife and he worked with great rapidity +and skill, cutting and bending a bow in two or three days, and making +a string of strong sinews, after which he fashioned many arrows and +tipped them with sharp bone. Then he contemplated his handiwork with +pride.</p> + +<p>"Hasty work is never the best of work," he said, "and these are not as +good as those I left behind me, but I know they will serve. The game +here, hunted but little, is not very wary and I can approach near."</p> + +<p>His skill both in construction and use was soon proved, as he slew +with his new weapons a great moose, two ordinary deer, and much +smaller game, while the traps caught beaver, otter, fox, wolf and +other animals, with fine pelts. Many splendid furs were soon drying +in the air and were taken later into the cave, while they accumulated +dried and jerked game enough to last them until the next spring.</p> + +<p>Both worked night and day with such application and intensity that +their hands became stiff and sore, and every bone in them ached. +Nevertheless Robert took time now and then to examine the little caves +in the other sections of the valley, only to find them still empty. +He thought, for a while, that the presence of Tayoga and himself and +their operations with the game might have frightened the bears away, +but the feeling that they would come returned and was strong upon him. +As for Tayoga he never doubted. It had been decreed by Tododaho.</p> + +<p>"The animals have souls," he said. "Often when great warriors die or +fall in battle their souls go into the bodies of bear, or deer, or +wolf, but oftenest into that of bear. For that reason the bear, saving +only the dog which lives with us, is nearest to man, and now and then, +because of the warrior soul in him, he is a man himself, although +he walks on four legs—and he does not always walk on four legs, +sometimes he stands on two. Doubt not, Dagaeoga, that when the stormy +winter sweeps down the bears will come to their ancient homes, whether +or not we be here."</p> + +<p>The winds grew increasingly chill, coming from the vast lakes beyond +the Great Lakes, those that lay in the far Canadian north, and the +skies were invariably leaden in hue and gloomy. But in the cave it +was cozy and warm. Furs and skins were so numerous that there was no +longer room on the floor and walls for them all, many being stored in +glossy heaps in the corners.</p> + +<p>"Some day these will bring a good price from the Dutch traders at +Albany," said Robert, "and it may be, Tayoga, that you and I will need +the money. I've been a scout and warrior for a long time, and now +I've suddenly turned fur hunter. Well, that spirit of peace and of a +friendly feeling toward all mankind grows upon me. Why shouldn't I be +full of brotherly love when your patron saint, Tododaho, has been so +kind to us?"</p> + +<p>He swept the cave once more with a glance of approval. It furnished +shelter, warmth, food in abundance, and with its furs even a certain +velvety richness for the eye, and Tayoga nodded assent. Meanwhile they +waited for the fierce blasts of the mountain winter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE SLEEPING SENTINELS</h3> + +<p>A singular day came when it seemed to Robert that the wind alternately +blew hot and cold, at least by contrast, and the deep, leaden skies +were suffused with a peculiar mist that made him see all objects in +a distorted fashion. Everything was out of proportion. Some were +too large and some too small. Either the world was awry or his own +faculties had become discolored and disjointed. While his interest in +his daily toil decreased and his thoughts were vague and distant, +his curiosity, nevertheless, was keen and concentrated. He knew that +something unusual was going to happen and nature was preparing him for +it.</p> + +<p>The occult quality in the air did not depart with the coming of night, +though the winds no longer alternated, the warm blasts ceasing to +blow, while the cold came steadily and with increasing fierceness. Yet +it was warm and close in the cave, and the two went outside for air, +wandering up the face of the ridge that enclosed the northern side +of their particular valley in the chain of little valleys. Upon the +summit they stood erect, and the face of Tayoga became rapt like +that of a seer. When Robert looked at him his own blood tingled. The +Onondaga shut his eyes, and he spoke not so much to Robert as to the +air itself:</p> + +<p>"O Tododaho," he said, "when mine eyes are open I do not see you +because of the vast clouds that Manitou has heaped between, but when I +close them the inner light makes me behold you sitting upon your star +and looking down with kindness upon this, the humblest and least of +your servants. O Tododaho, you have given my valiant comrade and +myself a safe home in the wilderness in our great need, and I beseech +you that you will always hold your protecting shield between us and +our enemies."</p> + +<p>He paused, his eyes still closed, and stood tense and erect, the north +wind blowing on his face. A shiver ran through Robert, not a shiver of +fear, but a shiver caused by the mysterious and the unknown. His own +eyes were open, and he gazed steadily into the northern heavens. +The occult quality in the air deepened, and now his nerves began to +tingle. His soul thrilled with a coming event. Suddenly the deep, +leaden clouds parted for a few moments, and in the clear space between +he could have sworn that he saw a great dancing star, from which a +mighty, benevolent face looked down upon them.</p> + +<p>"I saw him! I saw him!" he exclaimed in excitement. "It was Tododaho +himself!"</p> + +<p>"I did not see him with my eyes, but I saw him with my soul," said the +Onondaga, opening his eyes, "and he whispered to me that his favor was +with us. We cannot fail in what we wish to do."</p> + +<p>"Look in the next valley, Tayoga. What do you behold now?"</p> + +<p>"It is the bears, Dagaeoga. They come to their long winter sleep."</p> + +<p>Rolling figures, enlarged and fantastic, emerged from the mist. Robert +saw great, red eyes, sharp teeth and claws, and yet he felt neither +fear nor hostility. Tayoga's statement that they were bears, into +which the souls of great warriors had gone, was strong in his mind, +and he believed. They looked up at him, but they did not pause, moving +on to the little caves.</p> + +<p>"They see us," he said.</p> + +<p>"So they do," said Tayoga, "but they do not fear us. The spirits of +mighty warriors look out of their eyes at us, and knowing that they +were once as we are they know also that we will not harm them."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen the like of this before, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"No! But a few of the old men of the Hodenosaunee have told of their +grandfathers who have seen it. I think it is a mark of favor to us +that we are permitted to behold such a sight. Now I am sure Tododaho +has looked upon us with great approval. Lo, Dagaeoga, more of them +come out of the mist! Before morning every cave, save those in our own +little corner of the valley, will be filled. All of them gaze up at +us, recognize us as friends and pass on. It is a wonderful sight, +Dagaeoga, and we shall never look upon its like again."</p> + +<p>"No," said Robert, as the extraordinary thrill ran through him once +more. "Now they have gone into their caves, and I believe with you, +Tayoga, that the souls of great warriors truly inhabit the bodies of +the bears."</p> + +<p>"And since they are snugly in their homes, ready for the long winter +sleep, lo! the great snow comes, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>A heavy flake fell on Robert's upturned face, and then another and +another. The circling clouds, thick and leaden, were beginning to pour +down their burden, and the two retreated swiftly to their own dry and +well furnished cave. Then they rolled the great stones before the +door, and Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"Now, we will imitate our friends, the bears, and take a long winter +sleep."</p> + +<p>Both were soon slumbering soundly in their blankets and furs, and all +that night and all the next day the snow fell on the high mountains in +the heart of which they lay. There was no wind, and it came straight +down, making an even depth on ridge, slope and valley. It blotted out +the mouths of the caves, and it clothed all the forest in deep white. +Robert and Tayoga were but two motes, lost in the vast wilderness, +which had returned to its primeval state, and the Indians themselves, +whether hostile or friendly, sought their villages and lodges and were +willing to leave the war trail untrodden until the months of storm and +bitter cold had passed.</p> + +<p>Robert slept heavily. His labors in preparation for the winter had +been severe and unremitting, and his nerves had been keyed very high +by the arrival of the bears and the singular quality in the air. Now, +nature claimed her toll, and he did not awake until nearly noon, +Tayoga having preceded him a half hour. The Onondaga stood at the door +of the cave, looking over the stones that closed its lower half. Fresh +air poured in at the upper half, but Robert saw there only a whitish +veil like a foaming waterfall.</p> + +<p>"The time o' day, Sir Tayoga, Knight of the Great Forest," he said +lightly and cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"There is no sun to tell me," replied the Onondaga. "The face of +Areskoui will be hidden long, but I know that at least half the day is +gone. The flakes make a thick and heavy white veil, through which +I cannot see, and great as are the snows every winter on the high +mountains, this will be the greatest of them all."</p> + +<p>"And we've come into our lair. And a mighty fine lair it is, too. I +seem to adapt myself to such a place, Tayoga. In truth, I feel like +a bear myself. You say that the souls of warriors have gone into the +bears about us, and it may be that the soul of a bear has come into +me."</p> + +<p>"It may be," said Tayoga, gravely. "It is at least a wise thought, +since, for a while, we must live like bears."</p> + +<p>Robert would have chafed, any other time, at a stay that amounted to +imprisonment, but peace and shelter were too welcome now to let him +complain. Moreover, there were many little but important house-hold +duties to do. They made needles of bone, and threads of sinew and +repaired their clothing. Tayoga had stored suitable wood and bone and +he turned out arrow after arrow. He also made another bow, and Robert, +by assiduous practice, acquired sufficient skill to help in these +tasks. They did not drive themselves now, but the hours being filled +with useful and interesting labor, they were content to wait.</p> + +<p>For three or four days, while the snow still fell, they ate cold food, +but when the clouds at last floated away, and the air was free from +the flakes, they went outside and by great effort—the snow being four +or five feet deep—cleared a small space near the entrance, where they +cooked a good dinner from their stores and enjoyed it extravagantly. +Meanwhile the days passed. Robert was impatient at times, but never a +long while. If the mental weariness of waiting came to him he plunged +at once into the tasks of the day.</p> + +<p>There was plenty to do, although they had prepared themselves so well +before the great snowfall came. They made rude shovels of wood and +enlarged the space they had cleared of snow. Here, they fitted stones +together, until they had a sort of rough furnace which, crude though +it was, helped them greatly with their cooking. They also pulled more +brushwood from under the snow, and by its use saved the store they +had heaped up for impossible days. Then, by continued use of the bone +needles and sinews, they managed to make cloaks for themselves of the +bearskins. They were rather shapeless garments, and they had little of +beauty save in the rich fur itself, but they were wonderfully warm and +that was what they wanted most.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, after a while, began slow and painstaking work on a pair of +snowshoes, expecting to devote many days to the task.</p> + +<p>"The snow is so deep we cannot pass through it," he said, "but I, at +least, will pass upon it. I cannot get the best materials, but what I +have will serve. I shall not go far, but I want to explore the country +about us."</p> + +<p>Robert thought it a good plan, and helped as well as he could with the +work. They still stayed outdoors as much as possible, but the cold +became intense, the temperature going almost to forty degrees below +zero, the surface of the snow freezing and the boughs of the big +trees about the valley becoming so brittle that they broke with sharp +crashes beneath the weight of accumulated snow. Then they paused long +enough in the work on the snowshoes to make themselves gloves of +buckskin, which were a wonderful help, as they labored in the fresh +air. Ear muffs and caps of bearskin followed.</p> + +<p>"I feel some reluctance about using bearskin so much," said Robert, +"since the bears about us are inhabited by the souls of great warriors +and are our friends."</p> + +<p>"But the bears that we killed did not belong here," said Tayoga, "and +were bears and nothing more. It was right for us to slay them because +the bear was sent by Manitou to be a support for the Indian with his +flesh and his pelt."</p> + +<p>"But how do you know that the bears we killed were just bears and +bears only?"</p> + +<p>"Because, if they had not been we would not have killed them."</p> + +<p>Thus were the qualms of young Lennox quieted and he used his bearskin +cap, gloves and cloak without further scruple. The snowshoes were +completed and Tayoga announced that he would start early the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"I may be gone three or four days, Dagaeoga," he said, "but I will +surely return. I shall avoid danger, and do you be careful also."</p> + +<p>"Don't fear for me," said Robert. "I'm not likely to go farther than +the brook, since there's no great sport in breaking your way through +snow that comes to your waist, and which, moreover, is covered with a +thick sheet of ice. Don't trouble your mind about me, Tayoga, I won't +roam from home."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga took his weapons, a supply of food, and departed, +skimming over the snow with wonderful, flying strokes, while Robert +settled down to lonely waiting. It was a hard duty, but he again found +solace in work, and at intervals he contemplated the mouths of the +bears' caves, now almost hidden by the snow. Tayoga's belief was +strong upon him, for the time, and he concluded that the warriors +who inhabited the bodies of the bears must be having some long and +wonderful dreams. At least, they had plenty of time to dream in, and +it was an extraordinary provision of nature that gave them such a +tremendous sleep.</p> + +<p>Tayoga returned in four days, and Robert, who had more than enough of +being alone, welcomed him with hospitable words to a fire and a feast.</p> + +<p>"I must first put away my spoils," said the Onondaga, his dark eyes +glittering.</p> + +<p>"Spoils! What spoils, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Powder and lead," he replied, taking a heavy bundle wrapped in +deerskin from beneath his bearskin overcoat. "It weighs a full fifty +pounds, and it made my return journey very wearisome. Catch it, +Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>Robert caught, and he saw that it was, in truth, powder and lead.</p> + +<p>"Now, where did you get this?" he exclaimed. "You couldn't have gone +to any settlement!"</p> + +<p>"There is no settlement to go to. I made our enemies furnish the +powder and lead we need so much, and that is surely the cheapest way. +Listen, Dagaeoga. I remembered that to the east of us, about two days' +journey, was a long valley sheltered well and warm, in which Indians +who fight the Hodenosaunee often camp. I thought it likely they would +be there in such a winter as this, and that I might take from them in +the night the powder and lead we need so much.</p> + +<p>"I was right. The savages were there, and with them a white man, a +Frenchman, that Charles Langlade, called the Owl, from whom we fled. +They had an abundance of all things, and they were waxing fat, until +they could take the war path in the spring. Then, Dagaeoga, I played +the fox. At night, when they dreamed of no danger, I entered their +biggest lodges, passing as one of them, and came away with the powder +and lead."</p> + +<p>"It was a great feat, Tayoga, but are you sure none of them will trail +you here?"</p> + +<p>"The surface of the snow and ice melts a little in the noonday sun, +enough to efface all trace of the snowshoes, and my trail is no more +than that made by a bird in its flight through the air. Nor can we be +followed here while we are guarded by the bears, who sleep, but who, +nevertheless, are sentinels."</p> + +<p>Tayoga took off his snowshoes, and sank upon a heap of furs in the +cave, while Robert brought him food and inspected the great prize of +ammunition he had brought. The package contained a dozen huge horns +filled with powder, and many small bars of lead, the latter having +made the weight which had proved such a severe trial to the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Here's enough of both lead and powder to last us throughout the +winter, whatever may happen," said Robert in a tone of intense +satisfaction. "Tayoga, you're certainly a master freebooter. You +couldn't have made a more useful capture."</p> + +<p>Each, after the invariable custom of hunters and scouts, carried +bullet molds, and they were soon at work, melting the lead and casting +bullets for their rifles, then pouring the shining pellets in a stream +into their pouches. They continued at the task from day to day until +all the lead was turned into bullets and then they began work on +another pair of snowshoes, these intended for Robert.</p> + +<p>Despite the safety and comfort of their home in the rock, both began +to chafe now, and time grew tremendously long. They had done nearly +everything they could do for themselves, and life had become so easy +that there was leisure to think and be restless, because they were far +away from great affairs.</p> + +<p>"When my snowshoes are finished and I perfect myself in the use of +them," said Robert, "I favor an attempt to escape on the ice and snow +to the south. We grow rusty, you and I, here, Tayoga. The war may be +decided in our absence and I want to see Dave, too. I want to hear him +tell how he got through the savage cordon to the lake."</p> + +<p>"Have no fear about the war, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "It will +not be ended this winter nor the next. Before there is peace between +the French king and the British king you will have a chance to make +many speeches. Yet, like you, I think we should go. It is not well for +us to lie hidden in the ground through a whole winter."</p> + +<p>"But when we leave our good home here I shall leave many regrets +behind."</p> + +<p>He looked around at the cave and its supplies of skins and furs, its +stores of wood and food. Fortune had helped their own skill and they +had made a marvelous change in the place. Its bleakness and bareness +had disappeared. In the cold and bitter wilderness it offered more +than comfort, it was luxury itself.</p> + +<p>"So shall I," said Tayoga, appreciatively, "but we will heap rocks up +to the very top of the door, so that only a little air and nothing +else can enter, and leave it as it is. Some day we may want to use it +again."</p> + +<p>Having decided to go, they became very impatient, but they did not +skimp the work on the snowshoes, knowing how much depended on their +strength, but that task too, like all the others, came to an end in +time. Robert practiced a while and they selected a day of departure. +They were to take with them all the powder and bullets, a large supply +of food and their heavy bearskin overcoats. They had also made for +themselves over-moccasins of fur and extra deerskin leggings. They +would be bundled up greatly, but it was absolutely necessary in order +to face the great cold, that hovered continuously around thirty to +forty degrees below zero. The ear muffs, the caps and the gloves, too, +were necessities, but they had the comfort of believing that if the +fierce winter presented great difficulties to them, it would also keep +their savage enemies in their lodges.</p> + +<p>"The line that shut us in in the autumn has thinned out and gone!" +exclaimed Robert in sanguine tones, "and we'll have a clear path from +here to the lake!"</p> + +<p>Then they rolled stones, as they had planned, before the door to their +home, closing it wholly except a few square inches at the top, and +ascended on their snowshoes to the crest of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"Our cave will not be disturbed, at least not this winter," said +Tayoga confidently. "The bears that sleep below are, as I told you, +the silent sentinels, and they will guard it for us until we come +again."</p> + +<p>"At least, they brought us good luck," said Robert. Then, with long, +gliding strokes they passed over the ridge, and their happy valley was +lost to sight. They did not speak again for hours, Tayoga leading the +way, and each bending somewhat to his task, which was by no means +a light one, owing to the weight they carried, and the extremely +mountainous nature of the country. The wilderness was still and +intensely cold. The deep snow was covered by a crust of ice, and, +despite vigorous exertion and warm clothing, they were none too warm.</p> + +<p>By noon Robert's ankle, not thoroughly hardened to the snowshoes, +began to chafe, and they stopped to rest in a dense grove, where the +searching north wind was turned aside from them. They were traveling +by the sun for the south end of Lake George, but as they were in the +vast plexus of mountains, where their speed could not be great, even +under the best of conditions, they calculated that they would be many +days and nights on the way.</p> + +<p>They stayed fully an hour in the shelter of the trees, and an hour +later came to a frozen lake over which the traveling was easy, but +after they had passed it they entered a land of close thickets, in +which their progress was extremely slow. At night, the cold was very +great, but, as they scooped out a deep hollow in the snow, though they +attempted no fire, they were able to keep warm within their bearskins. +A second and a third day passed in like fashion, and their progress to +the south was unimpeded, though slow. They beheld no signs of human +life save their own, but invariably in the night, and often in the +day, they heard distant wolves howling.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day the temperature rose rapidly and the surface of +the snow softened, making their southward march much harder. Their +snowshoes clogged so much and the strain upon their ankles grew so +great that they decided to go into camp long before sunset, and give +themselves a thorough rest. They also scraped away the snow and +lighted a fire for the first time, no small task, as the snow was +still very deep, and it required much hunting to find the fallen +wood. But when the cheerful blaze came they felt repaid for all their +trouble. They rejoiced in the glow for an hour or so, and then Tayoga +decided that he would go on a short hunting trip along the course of a +stream that they could see about a quarter of a mile below.</p> + +<p>"It may be that I can rouse up a deer," he said. "They are likely to +be in the shelter of the thick bushes along the water's edge, but +whether I find them or not I will return shortly after sundown. Do you +await me here, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"I won't stir. I'm too tired," said Robert.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga put on his snowshoes again, and strapped to his back his +share of the ammunition and supplies—it had been agreed by the two +that neither should ever go anywhere without his half, lest they +become separated. Then he departed on smooth, easy strokes, almost +like one who skated, and was soon out of sight among the bushes at the +edge of the stream. Robert settled back to the warmth and brightness +of the fire, and awaited in peace the sound of a shot telling that +Tayoga had found the deer.</p> + +<p>He had been so weary, and the blaze was so soothing that he sank into +a state, not sleep, but nevertheless full of dreams. He saw Willet +again, and heard him tell the tale how he had reached the lake and +the army with Garay's letter. He saw Colonel Johnson, and the young +English officer, Grosvenor, and Colden and Wilton and Carson and all +his old friends, and then he heard a crunch on the snow near him. Had +Tayoga come back so soon and without his deer? He did not raise his +drooping eyelids until he heard the crunch again, and then when he +opened them he sprang suddenly to his feet, his heart beating fast +with alarm.</p> + +<p>A half dozen dark figures rushed upon him. He snatched at his rifle +and tried to meet the first of them with a bullet, but the range was +too close. He nevertheless managed to get the muzzle in the air and +pull the trigger. He remembered even in that terrible moment to do +that much and Tayoga would hear the sharp, lashing report. Then the +horde was upon him. Someone struck him a stunning blow on the side of +the head with the flat of a tomahawk, and he fell unconscious.</p> + +<p>When he returned to the world, the twilight had come, the hole in the +snow had been enlarged very much, and so had the fire. Seated around +it were a dozen Indians, wrapped in thick blankets and armed heavily, +and one white man whose attire was a strange compound of savage and +civilized. He wore a three-cornered French military hat with a great, +drooping plume of green, an immense cloak of fine green cloth, lined +with fur, but beneath it he was clothed in buckskin.</p> + +<p>The man himself was as picturesque as his attire. He was young, his +face was lean and bold, his nose hooked and fierce like that of a +Roman leader, his skin, originally fair, now tanned almost to a +mahogany color by exposure, his figure of medium height, but obviously +very powerful. Robert saw at once that he was a Frenchman and he felt +instinctively that it was Langlade. But his head was aching from the +blow of the tomahawk, and he waited in a sort of apathy.</p> + +<p>"So you've come back to earth," said the Frenchman, who had seen his +eyes open—he spoke in good French, which Robert understood perfectly.</p> + +<p>"I never had any intention of staying away," replied young Lennox.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman laughed.</p> + +<p>"At least you show a proper spirit," he said. "I commend you also for +managing to fire your rifle, although the bullet hit none of us. It +gave the alarm to your comrade and he got clean away. I can make a +guess as to who you are."</p> + +<p>"My name is Robert Lennox."</p> + +<p>"I thought so, and your comrade was Tayoga, the Onondaga who is not +unknown to us, a great young warrior, I admit freely. I am sorry we +did not take him."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'll get a chance to lay hands on him. He'll be too +clever for you."</p> + +<p>"I admit that, too. He's gone like the wind on his snowshoes. It seems +queer that you and he should be here in the mountain wilderness so far +north of your lines, in the very height of a fierce winter."</p> + +<p>"It's just as queer that you should be here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, from your point of view, though it's lucky that I should +have been present with these dark warriors of mine when you were +taken. They suffered heavily in the battle by Andiatarocte, and but +for me they might now be using you as fuel. Don't wince, you know +their ways and I only tell a fact. In truth, I can't make you any +promise in regard to your ultimate fate, but, at present, I need you +alive more than I need you dead."</p> + +<p>"You won't get any military information out of me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know. We shall wait and see."</p> + +<p>"Do you know the Chevalier de St. Luc?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. All Frenchmen and all Canadians know him, or know of him, +but he is far from here, and we shall not tell him that we have a +young American prisoner. The chevalier is a great soldier and the +bravest of men, but he has one fault. He does not hate the English and +the Bostonnais enough."</p> + +<p>Robert was not bound, but his arms and snowshoes had been taken and +the Indians were all about him. There was no earthly chance of escape. +With the wisdom of the wise he resigned himself at once to his +situation, awaiting a better moment.</p> + +<p>"I'm at your command," he said politely to Langlade.</p> + +<p>The French leader laughed, partly in appreciation.</p> + +<p>"You show intelligence," he said. "You do not resist, when you see +that resistance is impossible."</p> + +<p>Robert settled himself into a more comfortable position by the fire. +His head still ached, but it was growing easier. He knew that it was +best to assume a careless and indifferent tone.</p> + +<p>"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later."</p> + +<p>Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt +more wood. They obeyed. Robert saw that they never questioned his +leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established +themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence. The others threw +away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, +and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which +all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs.</p> + +<p>Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he +was not hungry. He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel +enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the +present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind. +His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with +them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with +the reward, were content to wait.</p> + +<p>The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the +entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north. +The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was +turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity. He +had been certain at first of escape, but it did not seem so sure now. +In former wars many prisoners taken on raids into Canada had never +been heard of again, and when he reflected in cold blood he knew that +the odds were heavy against a successful flight. Yet there was Tayoga. +His warning shot had enabled the Onondaga to evade the band, and his +comrade would never desert him. All his surpassing skill and tenacity +would be devoted to his aid. In that lay his hope.</p> + +<p>They pressed on toward the north as fast as they could go, and when +night came they were all exhausted, but they ate heavily again and +Robert received his share. Langlade continued to treat him kindly, +though he still had the feeling that the partisan, if it served him, +would be fully as cruel as the Indians. At night, although they built +big fires, Langlade invariably posted a strong watch, and Robert +noticed also that he usually shared it, or a part of it, from which +habit he surmised that the partisan had received the name of the Owl. +He had hoped that Tayoga might have a chance to rescue him in the +dark, but he saw now that the vigilance was too great.</p> + +<p>He hid his intense disappointment and kept as cheerful a face as he +could. Langlade, the only white man in the Indian band, was drawn +to him somewhat by the mere fact of racial kinship, and the two +frequently talked together in the evenings in what was a sort of +compulsory friendliness, Robert in this manner picking up scraps of +information which when welded together amounted to considerable, being +thus confirmed in his belief that Willet with the letter had reached +the lake in time. St. Luc with a formidable force had undertaken a +swift march on Albany, but the town had been put in a position of +defense, and St. Luc's vanguard had been forced to retreat by a +large body of rangers after a severe conflict. As the success of the +chevalier's daring enterprise had depended wholly on surprise, he had +then withdrawn northward.</p> + +<p>But Robert could not find out by any kind of questions where St. Luc +was, although he learned that Garay had never returned to Albany and +that Hendrik Martinus had made an opportune flight. Langlade, who was +thoroughly a wilderness rover, talked freely and quite boastfully +of the French power, which he deemed all pervading and invincible. +Despite the battle at Lake George the fortunes of war had gone so far +in favor of France and Canada and against Britain and the Bostonnais. +When the great campaign was renewed in the spring more and bigger +victories would crown French valor. The Owl grew expansive as he +talked to the youth, his prisoner.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis de Montcalm is coming to lead all our armies," he said, +"and he is a far abler soldier than Dieskau. You really did us a great +service when you captured the Saxon. Only a Frenchman is fit to +lead Frenchmen, and under a mighty captain we will crush you. The +Bostonnais are not the equal of the French in the forest. Save a few +like Willet, and Rogers, the English and Americans do not learn the +ways of woods warfare, nor do you make friends with the Indians as we +do."</p> + +<p>"That is true in the main," responded Robert, "but we shall win +despite it. Both the English and the English Colonials have the power +to survive defeat. Can the French and the Canadians do as well?"</p> + +<p>Langlade could not be shaken in his faith. He saw nothing but the most +brilliant victories, and not only did he boast of French power, but he +gloried even more in the strength of the Indian hordes, that had come +and that were coming in ever increasing numbers to the help of France. +Only the Hodenosaunee stood aloof from Québec, and he believed the +Great League even yet would be brought over to his side.</p> + +<p>Robert argued with the Owl, but he made no impression upon him. +Meanwhile they continued to march north by west.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>BEFORE MONTCALM</h3> + +<p>The Owl, with his warriors and captive, descended in time into the low +country in the northwest. They, too, had been on snowshoes, but now they +discarded them, since they were entering a region in which little snow had +fallen, the severity of the weather abating greatly. Robert was still +treated well, though guarded with the utmost care. The Indians, who seemed +to be from some tribe about the Great Lakes, did not speak any dialect he +knew, and, if they understood English, they did not use it. He was +compelled to do all his talking with the Owl who, however, was not at all +taciturn. Robert saw early that while a wonderful woodsman and a born +partisan leader, he was also a Gascon, vain, boastful and full of words. He +tried to learn from him something about his possible fate, but he could +obtain no hint, until they had been traveling more than three weeks, and +Langlade had been mellowed by an uncommonly good supper of tender game, +which the Indians had cooked for him.</p> + +<p>"You've been trying to draw that information out of me ever since you were +captured," he said. "You were indirect and clever about it, but I noticed +it. I, Charles Langlade, have perceptions, you must understand. If I do +live in the woods I can read the minds of white men."</p> + +<p>"I know you can," said Robert, smilingly. "I observed from the first that +you had an acute intellect."</p> + +<p>"Your judgment does you credit, my young friend. I did not tell you what I +was going to do with you, because I did not know myself. I know more about +you than you think I do. One of my warriors was with Tandakora in several +of his battles with you and Willet, that mighty hunter whom the Indians +call the Great Bear, and Tayoga, the Onondaga, who is probably following on +our trail in the hope of rescuing you. I have also heard of you from +others. Oh, as I tell you, I, Charles Langlade, take note of all things. +You are a prisoner of importance. I would not give you to Tandakora, +because he would burn you, and a man does not burn valuable goods. I would +not send you to St. Luc, because, being a generous man, he might take some +foolish notion to exchange you, or even parole you. I would not give you to +the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec, because then I might lose my pawn in the +game, and, in any event, the Marquis Duquesne is retiring as Governor +General of New France."</p> + +<p>"Is that true? I have met him. He seemed to me to be a great man."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is, but he was too haughty and proud for the powerful men who +dwelt at Quebec, and who control New France. I have heard something of your +appearance at the capital with the Great Bear and the Onondaga, and of what +chanced at Bigot's ball, and elsewhere. Ah, you see, as I told you, I, +Charles Langlade, know all things! But to return, the Marquis Duquesne +gives way to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Oh, that was accomplished some time +ago, and perhaps you know of it. So, I do not wish to give you to the +Marquis de Vaudreuil. I might wait and present you to the Marquis de +Montcalm when he comes, but that does not please me, either, and thus I +have about decided to present you to the Dove."</p> + +<p>"The Dove! Who is the Dove?"</p> + +<p>Langlade laughed with intense enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"The Dove," he replied, "is a woman, none other than Madame de Langlade +herself, a Huron. You English do not marry Indian women often—and yet +Colonel William Johnson has taken a Mohawk to wife—but we French know them +and value them. Do not think to have an easy and careless jailer when you +are put in the hands of the Dove. She will guard you even more zealously +than I, Charles Langlade, and you will notice that I have neither given you +any opportunity to escape nor your friend, Tayoga, the slightest chance to +rescue you."</p> + +<p>"It is true, Monsieur Langlade. I've abandoned any such hope on the march, +although I may elude you later."</p> + +<p>"The Dove, as I told you, will attend to that. But it will be a pretty play +of wits, and I don't mind the test. I'm aware that you have intelligence +and skill, but the Dove, though a woman, possesses the wit of a great +chief, and I'll match her against you."</p> + +<p>There was a further abatement of the weather, and they reached a region +where there was no snow at all. Warm winds blew from the direction of the +Great Lakes and the band traveled fast through a land in which the game +almost walked up to their rifles to be killed, such plenty causing the +Indians, as usual, now that they were not on the war path, to feast +prodigiously before huge fires, Langlade often joining them, and showing +that he was an adept in Indian customs.</p> + +<p>One evening, just as they were about to light the fire, the warrior who had +been posted as sentinel at the edge of the forest gave a signal and a few +moments later a tall, spare figure in a black robe with a belt about the +waist appeared. Robert's heart gave a great leap. The wearer of the black +robe was an elderly man with a thin face, ascetic and high. The captive +recognized him at once. It was Father Philibert Drouillard, the priest, +whose life had already crossed his more than once, and it was not strange +to see him there, as the French priests roamed far through the great +wilderness of North America, seeking to save the souls of the savages.</p> + +<p>Langlade, when he beheld Father Drouillard, sprang at once to his feet, and +Robert also arose quickly. The priest saw young Lennox, but he did not +speak to him just yet, accepting the food that the Owl offered him, and +sitting down with his weary feet to the fire that had now been lighted.</p> + +<p>"You have traveled far, Father?" said Langlade, solicitously.</p> + +<p>"From the shores of Lake Huron. I have converts there, and I must see that +they do not grow weak in the faith."</p> + +<p>"All men, red and white, respect Philibert Drouillard. Why are you alone, +Father?"</p> + +<p>"A runner from the Christian village came with me until yesterday. Then I +sent him back, because I would not keep him too long from his people. I can +go the rest of the way alone, as it will be but a few days before I meet a +French force."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Robert for the first time.</p> + +<p>"And you, my son," he said, "I am sorry it has fared thus with you."</p> + +<p>"It has not gone badly, Father," said Robert. "Monsieur de Langlade has +treated me well. I have naught to complain of save that I'm a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"It is a good lad, Charles Langlade," said the priest to the partisan, "and +I am glad he has suffered no harm at your hands. What do you purpose to do +with him?"</p> + +<p>"It is my present plan to take him to the village in which Madame Langlade, +otherwise the Dove, abides. He will be her prisoner until a further plan +develops, and you know how well she watches."</p> + +<p>A faint smile passed over the thin face of the priest.</p> + +<p>"It is true, Charles Langlade," he said. "That which escapes the eyes of +the Dove is very small, but I would take the lad with me to Montreal."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, that cannot be. I am second to nobody in respect for Holy +Church, and for you, Father Drouillard, whose good deeds are known to all, +and whose bad deeds are none, but those who fight the war must use their +judgment in fighting it, and the prisoners are theirs."</p> + +<p>Father Drouillard sighed.</p> + +<p>"It is so, Charles Langlade," he said, "but, as I have said, the prisoner +is a good youth. I have met him before, as I told you, and I would save +him. You know not what may happen in the Indian village, if you chance to +be away."</p> + +<p>"The Dove will have charge of him. She can be trusted."</p> + +<p>"And yet I would take him with me to Montreal. He will give his parole that +he will not attempt to escape on the way. It is the custom for prisoners to +be ransomed. I will send to you from Montreal five golden louis for him."</p> + +<p>Langlade shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Ten golden louis," said Father Drouillard.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, it is no use," said the partisan. "I cannot be tempted to +exchange him for money."</p> + +<p>"Fifteen golden louis, Charles Langlade, though I may have to borrow from +the funds of the Church to send them to you."</p> + +<p>"I respect your motive, Father, but 'tis impossible. This is a prisoner of +great value and I must use him as a pawn in the game of war. He was taken +fairly and I cannot give him up."</p> + +<p>Again Father Drouillard sighed, and this time heavily.</p> + +<p>"I would save you from captivity, Mr. Lennox," he said, "but, as you see, I +cannot."</p> + +<p>Robert was much moved.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Father Drouillard, for your kind intentions," he said. "It +may be that some day I shall have a chance to repay them. Meanwhile, I do +not dread the coming hospitality of Madame Langlade."</p> + +<p>The priest shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p>"It is a great and terrible war," he said, "though I cannot doubt that +France will prevail, but I fear for you, my son, a captive in the vast +wilderness. Although you are an enemy and a heretic I have only good +feeling for you, and I know that the great Chevalier, St. Luc, also regards +you with favor."</p> + +<p>"Know you anything of St. Luc?" asked Robert eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Only that the expedition he was to lead against Albany has turned back and +that he has gone to Canada to fight under the banner of Montcalm, when he +comes with the great leaders, De Levis, Bourlamaque and the others."</p> + +<p>"I thought I might meet him."</p> + +<p>"Not here, with Charles Langlade."</p> + +<p>The priest spent the night with them and in the morning, after giving them +his blessing, captors and captive alike, he departed on his long and +solitary journey to Montreal.</p> + +<p>"A good man," said Robert, as he watched his tall, thin figure disappear in +the surrounding forest.</p> + +<p>"Truly spoken," said the Owl. "I am little of a churchman myself, the +forest and the war trail please me better, but the priests are a great prop +to France in the New World. They carry with them the authority of His +Majesty, King Louis."</p> + +<p>A week later they reached a small Indian village on Lake Ontario where the +Owl at present made his abode, and in the largest lodge of which his +patient spouse, the Dove, was awaiting him. She was young, much taller than +the average Indian woman, and, in her barbaric fashion, quite handsome. But +her face was one of the keenest and most alert Robert had ever seen. All +the trained observation of countless ancestors seemed stored in her and now +he understood why Langlade had boasted so often and so warmly of her skill +as a guard. She regarded him with a cold eye as she listened attentively to +her husband's instructions, and, for the remainder of that winter and +afterward, she obeyed them with a thoroughness beyond criticism.</p> + +<p>The village included perhaps four hundred souls, of whom about a hundred +were warriors. Langlade was king and Madame Langlade, otherwise the Dove, +was queen, the two ruling with absolute sovereignty, their authority due to +their superior intelligence and will and to the service they rendered to +the little state, because a state it was, organized completely in all its +parts, although composed of only a few hundred human beings. In the bitter +weather that came again, Langlade directed the hunting in the adjacent +forest and the fishing conducted on the great lake. He also made presents +from time to time of gorgeous beads or of huge red or yellow blankets that +had been sent from Montreal. Robert could not keep from admiring his +diplomacy and tact, and now he understood more thoroughly than ever how the +French partisans made themselves such favorites with the wild Indians.</p> + +<p>His own position in the village was tentative. Langlade still seemed +uncertain what to do with him, and held him meanwhile for a possible reward +of great value. He was never allowed to leave the cluster of tepees for the +forest, except with the warriors, but he took part in the fishing on the +lake, being a willing worker there, because idleness grew terribly irksome, +and, when he had nothing to do, he chafed over his long captivity. He slept +in a small tepee built against that of Monsieur and Madame Langlade, and +from which there was no egress save through theirs.</p> + +<p>He was enclosed only within walls of skin, and he believed that he might +have broken a way through them, but he felt that the eyes of the Dove were +always on him. He even had the impression that she was watching him while +he slept, and sometimes he dreamed that she was fanged and clawed like a +tigress.</p> + +<p>Langlade went away once, being gone a long time, and while he was absent +the Dove redoubled her watchfulness. Robert's singular impression that her +eyes were always on him was strengthened, and these eyes were increased to +the hundred of Argus and more. It became so oppressive that he was always +eager to go out with the warriors in their canoes for the fishing. On Lake +Ontario he was sure the eyes of the Dove could not reach him, but the work +was arduous and often perilous. The great lake was not to be treated +lightly. Often it took toll of the Indians who lived around its shores. +Winter storms came up suddenly, the waves rolled like those of the sea, +freezing spray dashed over them, and it required a supreme exertion of +both skill and strength to keep the light canoes from being swamped.</p> + +<p>Yet Robert was always happier on water than on land. On shore, confined +closely and guarded zealously, his imaginative temperament suffered and he +became moody and depressed, but on the lakes, although still a captive, he +felt the winds of freedom. When the storms came and the icy blasts swept +down upon them he responded, body and soul. Relief and freedom were to be +found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore +refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh. He also had a feeling that +Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little +Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but +he never saw any.</p> + +<p>The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they +belonged, was the most terrible burden of all. If the Indians had news they +told him none. He seemed to have vanished completely. But, however numerous +may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that +yields. The flexible steel always rebounded. He took thorough care of his +health and strength. In his close little tepee he flexed and tensed his +muscles and went through physical exercises every night and morning, but it +was on the lake in the fishing, where the Indians grew to recognize his +help, that he achieved most. Fighting the winds, the water and the cold, he +felt his muscles harden and his chest enlarge, and he would say to himself +that when the spring came and he escaped he would be more fit for the life +of a free forest runner than he had ever been before. Langlade, when he +returned, took notice of his increased size and strength and did not +withhold approval.</p> + +<p>"I like any prisoner of mine to flourish," he laughed. "The more superior +you become the greater will be the reward for me when I dispose of you. You +have found the Dove all I promised you she should be, haven't you, Monsieur +Lennox?"</p> + +<p>"All and more," replied Robert. "Although she may be out of sight I feel +that her eyes are always on me, and this is true of the night as well as +the day."</p> + +<p>"A great woman, the Dove, and a wife to whom I give all credit. If it +should come into the king's mind to call me to Versailles and bestow upon +me some kind of an accolade perhaps Madame Langlade would not feel at home +in the great palace nor at the Grand Trianon, nor even at the Little +Trianon, and maybe I wouldn't either. But since no such idea will enter His +Majesty's mind, and I have no desire to leave the great forests, the Dove +is a perfect wife for me. She is the true wilderness helpmate, accomplished +in all the arts of the life I live and love, and with the eye and soul of a +warrior. I repeat, young Monsieur Lennox, where could I find a wife more +really sublime?"</p> + +<p>"Nowhere, Monsieur Langlade. The more I see you two together the more +nearly I think you are perfectly matched."</p> + +<p>The Owl seemed pleased with the recognition of his marital felicity, and +grew gracious, dropping some crumbs of information for Robert. He had been +to Montreal and the arrival of the great soldier, the Marquis de Montcalm, +with fresh generals and fresh troops from France, was expected daily at +Quebec. The English, although their fleets were larger, could not intercept +them, and it was now a certainty that the spring campaign would sweep over +Albany and almost to New York. He spoke with so much confidence, in truth +with such an absolute certainty, that Robert's heart sank and then came +back again with a quick rebound.</p> + +<p>After a winter that had seemed to the young captive an age, spring came +with a glorious blossoming and blooming. The wilderness burst into green +and the great lake shining in the sun became peaceful and friendly. Warm +winds blew out of the west and the blood flowed more swiftly in human +veins. But spring passed and summer came. Then Langlade announced that he +would depart with the best of the warriors, and that Robert would go with +him, although he refused absolutely to say where or for what purpose.</p> + +<p>Robert's joy was dimmed in nowise by his ignorance of his destination. He +had not found the remotest chance to escape while in the village, but it +might come on the march, and there was also a relief and pleasant +excitement in entering the wilderness again. He joyously made ready, the +Dove gave her lord and equal, not her master, a Spartan farewell, and the +formidable band, Robert in the center, plunged into the forest.</p> + +<p>When the great mass of green enclosed them he felt a mighty surge of hope. +His imaginative temperament was on fire. A chance for him would surely +come. Tayoga might be hidden in the thickets. Action brought renewed +courage. Langlade, who was watching him, smiled.</p> + +<p>"I read your mind, young Monsieur Lennox," he said. "Have I not told you +that I, Charles Langlade, have the perceptions? Do I not see and interpret +everything?"</p> + +<p>"Then what do you see and interpret now?"</p> + +<p>"A great hope in your heart that you will soon bid us farewell. You think +that when we are deep in the forest it will not be difficult to elude our +watch. And yet you could not escape when we were going through this same +forest to the village. Now why do you think it will be easier when you are +going through it again, but away?"</p> + +<p>"The Dove is not at the end of the march. Her eyes will no longer be upon +me."</p> + +<p>The Owl laughed deeply and heartily.</p> + +<p>"You're a lad of sense," he said, "when you lay such a tribute at the feet +of that incomparable woman, that model wife, that true helpmate in every +sense of the word. Why should you be anxious to leave us? I could have you +adopted into the tribe, and you know the ceremony of adoption is sacred +with the Indians. And let me whisper another little fact in your ear which +will surely move you. The Dove has a younger sister, so much like her that +they are twins in character if not in years. She will soon be of +marriageable age, and she shall be reserved for you. Think! Then you will +be my brother-in-law and the brother-in-law of the incomparable Dove."</p> + +<p>"No! No!" exclaimed Robert hastily.</p> + +<p>Now the laughter of the Owl was uncontrollable. His face writhed and his +sides shook.</p> + +<p>"A lad does not recognize his own good!" he exclaimed, "or is it +bashfulness? Nay, don't be afraid, young Monsieur Lennox! Perhaps I could +get the Dove to intercede for you!"</p> + +<p>Robert was forced to smile.</p> + +<p>"I thank you," he said, "but I am far from the marriageable age myself."</p> + +<p>"Then the Dove and I are not to have you for a brother-in-law?" said +Langlade. "You show little appreciation, young Monsieur Lennox, when it is +so easy for you to become a member of such an interesting family."</p> + +<p>Robert was confirmed in his belief that there was much of the wild man in +the Owl, who in many respects had become more Indian than the Indians. He +was a splendid trailer, a great hunter, and the hardships of the forest +were nothing to him. He read every sign of the wilderness and yet he +retained all that was French also, lightness of manner, gayety, quick wit +and a politeness that never failed. It is likely that the courage and +tenacity of the French leaders were never shown to better advantage than in +the long fight they made for dominion in North America. Despite the fact +that he was an enemy, and his belief that Langlade could be ruthless, on +occasion, Robert was compelled to like him.</p> + +<p>The journey, the destination yet unknown to him, was long, but it was not +tedious to the young prisoner. He watched the summer progress and the +colors deepen and he was cheered continually by the hope of escape, a fact +that Langlade recognized and upon which he commented in a detached manner, +from time to time. Now and then the leader himself went ahead with a scout +or two and one morning he said to Robert:</p> + +<p>"I saw something in the forest last night."</p> + +<p>"The forest contains much," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"But this was of especial interest to you. It was the trace of a footstep, +and I am convinced it was made by your friend Tayoga, the Onondaga. +Doubtless he is seeking to effect your escape."</p> + +<p>Robert's heart gave a leap, and there was a new light in his eyes, of which +the shrewd Owl took notice.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of the surpassing skill of the Onondaga," he continued, "but +I, Charles Langlade, have skill of my own. It will be some time before we +arrive at the place to which we are going, and I lay you a wager that +Tayoga does not rescue you."</p> + +<p>"I have no money, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, "and if I had I could +not accept a wager upon such a subject."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll let it be mental, wholly. My skill is matched against the +combined knowledge of Tayoga and yourself. He'll never be able, no matter +how dark the night, to get near our camp and communicate with you."</p> + +<p>Although Robert hoped and listened often in the dusk for the sound of a +signal from Tayoga, Langlade made good his boast. The two were able to +establish no communication. It was soon proved that he was in the forest +near them, one of the warriors even catching a sufficient glimpse of his +form for a shot, which, however, went wild. The Onondaga did not reply, +and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the +knowledge that he was near. He had a faithful and powerful friend who would +help him some day, be it soon or late.</p> + +<p>The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was +done.</p> + +<p>"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the +Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself. I, Charles +Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so."</p> + +<p>"What, Montcalm near?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest.</p> + +<p>"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see +a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army."</p> + +<p>"The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness?"</p> + +<p>"That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods. I have some +curiosity on the subject myself."</p> + +<p>An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert +saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place. The tents +stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, +while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts. A large white marquee +near the center he was sure was that of the commander-in-chief, and he was +eager to see at once the famous Montcalm, of whom he was hearing so much. +But to his intense disappointment, Langlade went into camp with the +Indians.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis de Montcalm is a great man," he said, "the commander-in-chief +of all the forces of His Majesty, King Louis, in North America, and even I, +Charles Langlade, will not approach him without ceremony. We will rest in +the edge of the forest, and when he hears that I have come he will send for +me, because he will want to know many things which none other can tell him. +And it may be, young Monsieur Lennox, that, in time, he will wish to see +you also."</p> + +<p>So Robert waited with as much patience as he could muster, although he +slept but little that night, the noises in the great French camp and his +own curiosity keeping him awake. What was Montcalm doing so far from the +chief seats of the French power in Canada, and did the English and +Americans know that he was here?</p> + +<p>Curiously enough he had little apprehension for himself, it was rather a +feeling of joy that he had returned to the world of great affairs. Soon he +would know what had been occurring during the long winter when he was +buried in an Indian village, and he might even hear of Willet. Toward dawn +he slept a little, and after daylight he was awakened by Langlade who was +as assured and talkative as usual.</p> + +<p>"It may be, my gallant young prisoner," he said, ruffling and strutting, +"that I am about to lose you, but if it is so it will be for value +received. I, Charles Langlade, have seen the great Marquis de Montcalm, but +it was an equal speaking to an equal. It was last night in his grand +marquee, where he sat surrounded by his trusted lieutenants, De Levis, St. +Luc, Bourlamaque, Coulon de Villiers and the others. But I was not daunted +at all. I repeat that it was an equal speaking to an equal, and the Marquis +was pleased to commend me for the work I have already done for France."</p> + +<p>"And St. Luc was there?"</p> + +<p>"He was. The finest figure of them all. A brave and generous man and a +great leader. He stood at the right hand of the Marquis de Montcalm, while +I talked and he listened with attention, because the Chevalier de St. Luc +is always willing to learn from others. No false pride about him! And the +Marquis de Montcalm is like him. I gave the commander-in-chief much +excellent advice which he accepted with gratitude, and in return for you, +whom he expects to put to use, he has raised me in rank, and has extended +my authority over the western tribes. Ah, I knew that you were a prize when +I captured you, and I was wise to save you as a pawn."</p> + +<p>"How can I be of any value to the Marquis de Montcalm?"</p> + +<p>"That is to be seen. He knows his own plans best. You are to come with me +at once into his presence."</p> + +<p>Robert was immediately in a great stir. He straightened out, and, with his +hands, brushed his own clothing, smoothed his hair, intending, with his +usual desire for neatness, to make the best possible appearance before the +French leader.</p> + +<p>After breakfast Langlade took him to the great marquee in which Montcalm +sat, as the morning was cool, and when their names had been taken in a +young officer announced that they might enter, the officer, to Robert's +great surprise, being none other than De Galissonnière, who showed equal +amazement at meeting him there. The Frenchman gave him a hearty grasp of +the hand in English fashion, but they did not have time to say anything.</p> + +<p>Robert, walking by the side of Langlade, entered the great tent with some +trepidation, and beheld a swarthy man of middle years, in the uniform of a +general of France, giving orders to two officers who stood respectfully at +attention. Neither of the officers was St. Luc, nor were they among those +whom Robert had seen at Quebec. He surmised, however, that they were De +Levis and Bourlamaque, and he learned soon that he was right. Langlade +paused until Montcalm was ready to speak to him, and Robert stood in +silence at his side. Montcalm finished what he had to say and turned his +eyes upon the young prisoner. His countenance was mild, but Robert felt +that his gaze was searching.</p> + +<p>"And this, Captain Langlade," he said, "is the youth of whom you were +speaking?"</p> + +<p>So the Owl had been made a captain, and the promotion had been one of his +rewards. Robert was not sorry.</p> + +<p>"It is the one, sir," replied Langlade, "young Monsieur Robert Lennox. He +has been a prisoner in my village all the winter, and he has as friends +some of the most powerful people in the British Colonies."</p> + +<p>Montcalm continued to gaze at Robert as if he would read his soul.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Lennox," he said, not unkindly, motioning him to a little +stool. Robert took the indicated seat and so quick is youth to warm to +courtesy that he felt respect and even liking for the Marquis, official and +able enemy though he knew him to be. De Levis and Bourlamaque also were +watching him with alert gaze, but they said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I hear," continued Montcalm, with a slight smile, "that you have not +suffered in Captain Langlade's village, and that you have adapted yourself +well to wild life."</p> + +<p>"I've had much experience with the wilderness," said Robert. "Most of my +years have been passed there, and it was easy for me to live as Captain +Langlade lived. I've no complaint to make of his treatment, though I will +say that he has guarded me well."</p> + +<p>Montcalm laughed.</p> + +<p>"It agrees with Captain Langlade's own account," he said. "I suppose that +one must be born, or at least pass his youth in it, to get the way of this +vast wilderness. We of old Europe, where everything has been ruled and +measured for many centuries, can have no conception of it until we see it, +and even then we do not understand it. Although with an army about me I +feel lost in so much forest. But enough of that. It is of yourself and not +of myself that I wish to speak. I have heard good reports of you from one +of my own officers, who, though he has been opposed to you many times, +nevertheless likes you."</p> + +<p>"The Chevalier de St. Luc!"</p> + +<p>"Aye, the Chevalier de St. Luc. I know, also, that you have been in the +councils of some of the Colonial leaders. You are a friend of Sir William +Johnson."</p> + +<p>"Colonel William Johnson?"</p> + +<p>"No, Sir William Johnson. In reward for the affair at Lake George, in which +our Dieskau was unfortunate, he has been made a baronet by the British +king."</p> + +<p>"I am glad."</p> + +<p>"And doubtless Sir William is also. You know him well, I understand, and he +was still at the lake when you left on the journey that led to your +capture."</p> + +<p>Robert was silent.</p> + +<p>"I have not asked you to answer," continued Montcalm, "but I assume that it +is so. His army, although it was victorious in the battle there, did not +advance. There was much disagreement among the governors of the British +Colonies. The provinces could not be induced to act together?"</p> + +<p>Robert was still silent.</p> + +<p>"Again I say I am not asking you to answer, but your silence confirms the +truth of our reports."</p> + +<p>Robert flushed, and a warm reply trembled on his lips, but he restrained +the words. A swift smile passed over the dark face of Montcalm.</p> + +<p>"You see, Mr. Lennox," he continued, "I am not asking you to say anything, +but there was great disappointment among the British Colonials because +there was no advance after the battle at the lake. It has also cooled the +enthusiasm of the Iroquois, many of whom have gone home and who perhaps +will take no further part in the war as the allies of the English."</p> + +<p>Again Robert flushed and again he bit back the hot reply. He looked +uneasily at De Levis and Bourlamaque, but their faces expressed nothing. +Then Montcalm suddenly changed the subject.</p> + +<p>"I am going to make you a very remarkable offer," he said, "and do not +think for a moment it is going to imply any change of colors on your part, +or the least suspicion of treason, which I could not ask of the gentleman +you obviously are. I request of you your parole, your word of honor that +you will not take any further part in this war."</p> + +<p>"I can't do it! As I have often told Captain Langlade, I intend to escape."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible. If you could not do so when you were in Captain +Langlade's village, you have no chance at all now that you are surrounded +by an army. But since you will not give me your parole it will become +necessary to keep you as a prisoner of war, and to send you to a safe +place."</p> + +<p>"Many of our people in this and former wars with the French have been held +prisoners in the Province of Quebec. I know somewhat of the city of Quebec, +and it is not wholly an unpleasant place."</p> + +<p>"I did not have Quebec, either the province or the city, in mind so far as +concerns you, Mr. Lennox. Three of our ships are to return shortly to +France, and, not wishing to give us your parole, you are to go to France."</p> + +<p>"To France?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, to France. Where else? And you should rejoice. It is a fair and +glorious land. And I have heard there is a spirit in you, Mr. Lennox, which +is almost French, a kindred touch, a Gallic salt and savor, so to speak."</p> + +<p>"I'm wholly American and British."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there are others who know you better than you know yourself. I +repeat, there is about you a French finish. Why should you deny it? You +should be proud of it. We are the oldest of the great civilized nations, +and the first in culture. Your stay in France should be very pleasant. You +can drink there at the fountain of ancient culture and glory. The +wilderness is magnificent in its way, but high civilization is magnificent +also in its own and another way. You can see Paris, the city of light, the +center of the world, and you can behold the splendid court of His Majesty, +King Louis. That should appeal to a young man of taste and discernment."</p> + +<p>Robert felt a thrill and his pulses leaped, but the thrill lasted only a +moment. It was clearly impossible that he should go even as a prisoner, +though a willing one, to France, and he did not see any reason why the +Marquis de Montcalm should take any personal interest in his future. But +responding invariably to the temperature about him his manner was now as +polite as that of the French general.</p> + +<p>"You have my thanks, sir," he said, "for the kindly way in which you offer +to treat a prisoner, but it is impossible for me to go to France, unless +you should choose to send me there by sheer force."</p> + +<p>The slight smile passed again over the face of the Marquis de Montcalm.</p> + +<p>"I fancied, young sir," he said, "that this would be your answer, and, +being what it is, I cannot say that it has lowered you aught in my esteem. +For the present, you abide with us."</p> + +<p>Robert bowed. Montcalm inspired in him a certain liking, and a decided +respect. Then, still under the escort of Langlade, he withdrew.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE SIGN OF THE BEAR</h3> + +<p>Robert returned with Langlade to the partisan's camp at the edge of the +forest adjoining that of the main French army, where the Indian warriors +had lighted fires and were cooking steaks of the deer. He was disposed to +be silent, but Langlade as usual chattered volubly, discoursing of French +might and glory, but saying nothing that would indicate to his prisoner the +meaning of the present military array in the forest.</p> + +<p>Robert did not hear more than half of the Owl's words, because he was +absorbed in those of Montcalm, which still lingered in his mind. Why should +the Marquis wish to send him to France, and to have him treated, when he +was there, more as a guest than as a prisoner? Think as he would he could +find no answer to the question, but the Owl evidently had been impressed by +his reception from Montcalm, as he treated him now with distinguished +courtesy. He also seemed particularly anxious to have the good opinion of +the lad who had been so long his prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Have I been harsh to you?" he asked with a trace of anxiety in his tone. +"Have I not always borne myself toward you as if you were an important +prisoner of war? It is true I set the Dove as an invincible sentinel over +you, but as a good soldier and loyal son of France I could do no less. Now, +I ask you, Monsieur Robert Lennox, have not I, Charles Langlade, conducted +myself as a fair and considerate enemy?"</p> + +<p>"If I were to escape and be captured again, Captain Langlade, it is my +sincere wish that you should be my captor the second time, even as you were +the first."</p> + +<p>The Owl was gratified, visibly and much, and then he announced a visitor. +Robert sprang to his feet as he saw St. Luc approaching, and his heart +throbbed as always when he was in the presence of this man. The chevalier +was in a splendid uniform of white and silver unstained by the forest. His +thick, fair hair was clubbed in a queue and powdered neatly, and a small +sword, gold hilted, hung at his belt. He was the finest and most gallant +figure that Robert had yet seen in the wilderness, the very spirit and +essence of that brave and romantic France with which England and her +colonies were fighting a duel to the death. And yet St. Luc always seemed +to him too the soul of knightly chivalry, one to whom it was impossible for +him to bear any hostility that was not merely official. His own hand went +forward to meet the extended hand of the chevalier.</p> + +<p>"We seem destined to meet many times, Mr. Lennox," said St. Luc, "in +battle, and even under more pleasant conditions. I had heard that you were +the prisoner of our great forest ranger, Captain Langlade, and that you +would be received by our commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm."</p> + +<p>"He made me a most extraordinary offer, that I go as a prisoner of war to +Paris, but almost in the state of a guest."</p> + +<p>"And you thought fit to decline, which was unwise in you, though to be +expected of a lad of spirit. Sit down, Mr. Lennox, and we can have our +little talk in ease and comfort. It may be that I have something to do with +the proposition of the Marquis de Montcalm. Why not reconsider it and go to +France? England is bound to lose the war in America. We have the energy and +the knowledge. The Indian tribes are on our side. Even the powerful +Hodenosaunee may come over to us in time, and at the worst it will become +neutral. As a prisoner in France you will have no share in defeat, but +perhaps that does not appeal to you."</p> + +<p>"It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many +kindnesses to me, although I don't understand them. Your solicitude for my +welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a +source of wonderment in my mind."</p> + +<p>"Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to +harm."</p> + +<p>Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, +and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of +all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked +him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back +presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even +Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal +most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than +once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the +city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there +as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became +enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took +on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed +a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment.</p> + +<p>"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your +will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would +listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good."</p> + +<p>"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak +lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should +go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy +to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am +in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I +meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you."</p> + +<p>The chevalier laughed.</p> + +<p>"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and +patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But +'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say +our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain +Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in +readiness to depart tomorrow morning."</p> + +<p>Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but, +before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would +go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they +were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, +that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of +defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made +another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly. +Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of +his general's plans. Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for +battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into +the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze. The young prisoner's back +was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating +like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the +eyes of Tandakora.</p> + +<p>The huge Ojibway was more huge than ever. Robert was convinced that he was +the largest man he had ever seen, not only the tallest, but the broadest, +and the heaviest, and his very lack of clothing—he wore only a belt, +breech cloth, leggings and moccasins—seemed to increase his size. His vast +shoulders, chest and arms were covered with paint, and the scars of old +wounds, the whole giving to him the appearance of some primeval giant, +sinister and monstrous. He carried a fine, new rifle of French make and two +double barreled pistols; a tomahawk and knife swung from his belt.</p> + +<p>Robert, nevertheless, met that full gaze firmly. He shut from his mind what +he might have had to suffer from Tandakora had the Ojibway held him a +captive in the forest, but here he was not Tandakora's prisoner, and he was +in the midst of the French army. Centering all his will and soul into the +effort he stared straight into the evil eyes of the Indian, until those of +his antagonist were turned away.</p> + +<p>"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade.</p> + +<p>"Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter +came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario."</p> + +<p>"It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we +call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to +Onontio at Quebec. The nations of the Hodenosaunee call him Dagaeoga, and +he is a danger to us. I would buy him from you. I will send to you for him +fifty of the finest buffalo robes taken from the great western plains."</p> + +<p>"Not for fifty buffalo robes, Tandakora, no matter how fine they are."</p> + +<p>"Ten packs of the finest beaver skins, fifty in each pack."</p> + +<p>"It's no use to bid for him, Tandakora. I don't sell captives. Moreover, he +has passed out of my hands. I have had my reward for him. His fate rests +now with the Chevalier de St. Luc and the Marquis de Montcalm."</p> + +<p>The Ojibway's face showed foiled malice. "It is a snake that the Owl warms +in his bosom," he said, and strode away. The partisan followed him with +observant eyes.</p> + +<p>"It is evident that the Ojibway chief bears you no love, young Monsieur +Lennox," he said. "Now that you have served the purposes for which I held +you I wish you no harm, and so I bid you beware of Tandakora."</p> + +<p>"Your advice is good and well meant, and for it I thank you," said Robert; +"but I've known Tandakora a long time. My friends and I have met him in +several encounters and we've not had the worst of them."</p> + +<p>"I judged so by his manner. All the more reason then why you should beware +of him. I repeat the warning."</p> + +<p>Robert was not bound, and he was permitted to roll himself in a blanket and +sleep with his feet to the fire, an Indian on either side of him. Save +where a space had been cleared for the French army, the primeval forest, +heavy in the foliage of early spring, was all about them, and the wind that +sang through the leaves united with the murmuring of a creek, beside which +Langlade had pitched his camp.</p> + +<p>Slumber was slow in coming to Robert. Too much had occurred for his +faculties to slip away at once into oblivion. His interview with Montcalm, +his meeting with St. Luc, and the appearance of Tandakora at the camp +fire, stirred him mightily. Events were certainly marching, and, while he +tried to coax slumber to come, he listened to the noises of the camp and +the forest. Where the French tents were spread, men were softly singing +songs of their ancient land, and beyond them sentinels in neat uniforms +were walking back and forth among trees that had never beheld uniforms +before.</p> + +<p>The sounds sank gradually, but Robert did not yet sleep. He found a +peculiar sort of interest in detaching these murmurs from one another, the +stamp of impatient horses, the moving of arms, the last dying, notes of a +song, the whisper of the creek's waters, and then, plainly separate from +the others, he heard a faint, unmistakable swish, a noise that he knew, +that of an arrow flying through the air. Langlade knew it too, and sprang +up with an angry cry.</p> + +<p>"Now, has some warrior got hold of whiskey to indulge in this madness?" he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The faint swish came a second time, and Robert, who had risen to his feet, +saw two arrows standing upright in the earth not twenty feet away. Langlade +saw them also and swore.</p> + +<p>"They must have come in a wide curve overhead," he said, "or they would not +be standing almost straight up in the earth, and that does not seem like +the madness of liquor."</p> + +<p>He looked suspiciously at the forest, in which Indian sentinels had been +posted, but which, nevertheless, was so dark that a cunning form might +pass there unseen.</p> + +<p>"There is more in this than meets the eye," muttered the partisan, and +drawing the arrows from the earth he examined them by the light of the +fire. Robert stood by, silent, but his eyes fell on fresh marks with a +knife, near the barb on each weapon, and the great pulse in his throat +leaped. The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had +cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a +bear.</p> + +<p>The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive +comprehended it at once. It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan +of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the +Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear. +It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him. Had ever a man +a more faithful comrade? The Onondaga was still following in the hope of +making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living. Once +more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith.</p> + +<p>"Now what do these marks mean?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied +Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that. I've lived long enough among the Indians to know +they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted +so close together it must be some sort of a signal. It may have been +intended for you."</p> + +<p>Robert was silent, and the partisan did not ask him any further questions, +but, being much disturbed, sent into the forest scouts, who returned +presently, unable to find anything.</p> + +<p>"It may or it may not have been a message," he said, speaking to Robert, in +his usual garrulous fashion, "but I still incline to the opinion that it +was, though I may never know what the message meant, but I, Charles +Langlade, have not been called the Owl for nothing. If it refers to you +then your chance of escape has not increased. I hold you merely for +tonight, but I hold you tight and fast. Tomorrow my responsibility ceases, +and you march in the middle of Montcalm's army."</p> + +<p>Robert made no reply, but he was in wonderful spirits, and his elation +endured. His senses, in truth, were so soothed by the visible evidence that +his comrade was near that he fell asleep very soon and had no dreams. The +French and Indian army began its march early the next morning, and Robert +found himself with about a dozen other prisoners, settlers who had been +swept up in its advance. They had been surprised in their cabins, or their +fields, newly cleared, and could tell him nothing, but he noticed that the +march was west.</p> + +<p>He believed they were not far from Lake Ontario, and he had no doubt that +Montcalm had prepared some fell stroke. His mind settled at last upon +Oswego, where the Anglo-American forces had a post supposed to be strong, +and he was smitten with a fierce and commanding desire to escape and take a +warning. But he was compelled to eat his heart out without result. With +French and Indians all about him he had not the remotest chance and, +helpless, he was compelled to watch the Marquis de Montcalm march to what +he felt was going to be a French triumph.</p> + +<p>Swarms of Indian scouts and skirmishers preceded the army and Canadian +axmen cut a way for the artillery, but to Robert's great amazement these +operations lasted only a short time. Almost before he could realize it they +had emerged from the deep woods and he looked again upon the vast, shining +reaches of Lake Ontario. Then he learned for the first time that Montcalm's +army had come mostly in boats and in detachments, and was now united for +attack. As he had surmised, Oswego, which the English and Americans had +intended to be a great stronghold and rallying place in the west, was the +menaced position.</p> + +<p>Robert from a hill saw three forts before the French force, the largest +standing upon a plateau of considerable elevation on the east bank of the +river, which there flowed into the lake. It was shaped like a star, and the +fortifications consisted of trunks of trees, sharpened at the ends, driven +deep into the ground, and set as close together as possible. On the west +side of the river was another fort of stone and clay, and four hundred +yards beyond it was an unfinished stockade, so weak that its own garrison +had named it in derision Rascal Fort. Some flat boats and canoes lay in the +lake, and it was a man in one of these canoes who had been the first to +learn of the approach of Montcalm's army, so slender had been the +precautions taken by the officers in command of the forts.</p> + +<p>"We have come upon them almost as if we had dropped from the clouds," said +Langlade, exultingly, to Robert. "When they thought the Marquis de Montcalm +was in Montreal, lo! he was here! It is the French who are the great +leaders, the great soldiers and the great nation! Think you we would allow +ourselves to be surprised as Oswego has been?"</p> + +<p>Robert made no reply. His heart sank like a plummet in a pool. Already he +heard the crackling fire of musketry from the Indians who, sheltered in the +edge of the forest, were sending bullets against the stout logs of Fort +Ontario, but which could offer small resistance to cannon. And while the +sharpshooting went on, the French officers were planting the batteries, one +of four guns directly on the strand. The work was continued at a great pace +all through the night, and when Robert awoke from an uneasy sleep, in the +morning, he saw that the French had mounted twenty heavy cannon, which soon +poured showers of balls and grape and canister upon the log fort. He also +saw St. Luc among the guns directing their fire, while Tandakora's Indians +kept up an incessant and joyous yelling.</p> + +<p>The defenders of the stockade maintained a fire from rifles and several +small cannon, but it did little harm in the attacking army and Robert was +soldier enough to know that the log walls could not hold. While St. Luc +sent in the fire from the batteries faster and faster, a formidable force +of Canadians and Indians led by Rigaud, one of the best of Montcalm's +lieutenants, crossed the river, the men wading in the water up to their +waists, but holding their rifles over their heads.</p> + +<p>Tandakora was in this band, shouting savagely, and so was Langlade, but +Robert and the other prisoners, left under guard on the hill, saw +everything distinctly. They had no hope whatever that the chief fort, or +any of the forts, could hold out. Fragments of the logs were already flying +in the air as the stream of cannon balls beat upon them. The garrison made +a desperate resistance, but the cramped place was crowded with +women—settlers' wives—as well as men, the commander was killed, and at +last the white flag was hoisted on all the forts.</p> + +<p>Then the Indians, intoxicated with triumph and the strong liquors they had +seized, rushed in and began to ply the tomahawk. Montcalm, horrified, used +every effort to stop the incipient butchery, and St. Luc, Bourlamaque and, +in truth, all of his lieutenants, seconded him gallantly. Tandakora and his +men were compelled to return their tomahawks to their belts, and then the +French army was drawn around the captives, who numbered hundreds and +hundreds.</p> + +<p>It was another French and Indian victory like that over Braddock, though it +was not marked by the destruction of an army, and Robert's heart sank lower +and lower. He knew that it would be appalling news to Boston, to Albany and +to New York. The Marquis de Montcalm had justified the reputation that +preceded him. He had struck suddenly with lightning swiftness and with +terrible effect. Not only this blow, but its guarantee of others to come, +filled Robert's heart with fear for the future.</p> + +<p>The sun sank upon a rejoicing army. The Indians were still yelling and +dancing, and, though they were no longer allowed to sink their tomahawks in +the heads of their defenseless foes, they made imaginary strokes with them, +and shouted ferociously as they leaped and capered.</p> + +<p>Robert was on the strand near the shore of the lake, and wearied by his +long day of watching that which he wished least in the world to see, he sat +down on a sand heap, and put his head in his hands. Peculiarly sensitive to +atmosphere and surroundings, he was, for the moment, almost without hope. +But he knew, even when he was in despair, that his courage would come back. +It was one of the qualities of a temperament such as his that while he +might be in the depths at one hour he would be on the heights at the next.</p> + +<p>Several of the Indians, apparently those who had got at the liquor, were +careering up and down the sands, showing every sign of the blood madness +that often comes in the moment of triumph upon savage minds. Robert raised +his face from his hands and looked to see if Tandakora was among them, but +he caught no glimpse of the gigantic Ojibway. The French soldiers who were +guarding the prisoners gazed curiously at the demoniac figures. They were +of the battalions Bearn and Guienne and they had come newly from France. +Plunged suddenly into the wilderness, such sights as they now beheld +filled them with amazement, and often created a certain apprehension. They +were not so sure that their wild allies were just the kind of allies they +wanted.</p> + +<p>The sun set lower upon the savage scene, casting a dark glow over the +ruined forts, the troops, the leaping savages and the huddled prisoners. +One of the Indians danced and bounded more wildly than all the rest. He was +tall, but slim, apparently youthful, and he wore nothing except breech +cloth, leggings and moccasins, his naked body a miracle of savage painting. +Robert by and by watched him alone, fascinated by his extraordinary agility +and untiring enthusiasm. His figure seemed to shoot up in the air on +springs, and, with a glittering tomahawk, he slew and scalped an imaginary +foe over and over again, and every time the blade struck in the air he let +forth a shout that would have done credit to old Stentor himself. He ranged +up and down the beach, and presently, when he was close to Robert, he grew +more violent than ever, as if he were worked by some powerful mechanism +that would not let him rest. He had all the appearance of one who had gone +quite mad, and as he bounded near them, his tomahawk circling about his +head, the French guards shrank back, awed, and, at the same time, not +wishing to have any conflict with their red allies, who must be handled +with the greatest care.</p> + +<p>The man paused a moment before the young prisoner, whirled his tomahawk +about his head and uttered a ferocious shout. Robert looked straight into +the burning eyes, started violently and then became outwardly calm, though +every nerve and muscle in him was keyed to the utmost tension. "To the +lake!" exclaimed the Indian under his breath and then he danced toward the +water.</p> + +<p>Robert did not know at first what the words meant, and he waited in +indecision, but he saw that the care of the guards, owing to the confusion, +the fact that the battle was over, and the rejoicing for victory, was +relaxed. It would seem, too, that escape at such a time and place was +impossible, and that circumstance increased their inattention.</p> + +<p>The youth watched the dancing warrior, who was now moving toward the water, +over which the darkness of night had spread. But the lake was groaning with +a wind from the north, and several canoes near the beach were bobbing up +and down. The dancer paused a moment at the very edge of the water, and +looked back at Robert. Then he advanced into the waves themselves.</p> + +<p>All the young prisoner's indecision departed in a flash. The signal was +complete and he understood. He sprang violently against the French soldier +who stood nearest him and knocked him to the ground. Then with three or +four bounds he was at the water's edge, leaping into the canoe, just as +Tayoga settled himself into place there, and, seizing a paddle, pushed away +with powerful shoves.</p> + +<p>Robert nearly upset the canoe, but the Onondaga quickly made it regain its +balance, and then they were out on the lake under the kindly veil of the +night. The fugitive said nothing, he knew it was no time to speak, because +Tayoga's powerful back was bending with his mighty efforts and the bullets +were pattering in the water behind them. It was luck that the canoe was a +large one, partaking more of the nature of a boat, as Robert could remain +concealed on the bottom without tipping it over, while the Onondaga +continued to put all his nervous power and skill into his strokes. It was +equally fortunate, also, that the night had come and that the dusk was +thick, as it distracted yet further the hasty aim of the French and Indians +on shore. One bullet from a French rifle grazed Robert's shoulder, another +was deflected from Tayoga's paddle without striking it from his hand, but +in a few minutes they were beyond the range of those who stood on the bank, +although lead continued to fall in the water behind them.</p> + +<p>"Now you can rise, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, "and use the extra paddle +that I took the precaution to stow in the boat. Do not think because you +are an escaped prisoner that you are to rest in idleness and luxury, doing +no work while I do it all."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Tayoga!" exclaimed Robert, in the fullness of his emotion. +"I'll work a week without stopping if you say so. I'm so glad to see you +that I'll do anything you say, and ask no questions. But I want to tell you +you're the most wonderful dancer and jumper in America!"</p> + +<p>"I danced and jumped so well, Dagaeoga, because your need made me do so. +Necessity gives a wonderful spring to the muscles. Behold how long and +strong you sweep with the paddle because the bullets of the enemy impel +you."</p> + +<p>"Which way are we going, Tayoga? What is your plan?"</p> + +<p>"Our aim at this moment, Dagaeoga, is the middle of the lake, because the +sons of Onontio and the warriors of Tandakora are all along the beach, and +would be waiting for us with rifle and tomahawk should we seek to land. +This is but a small boat in which we sit and it could not resist the waves +of a great storm, but at present it is far safer for us than any land near +by."</p> + +<p>"Of course you're right, Tayoga, you always are, but we're in the thick of +the darkness now, so you rest awhile and let me do the paddling alone."</p> + +<p>"It is a good thought, Dagaeoga, but keep straight in the direction we are +going. See that you do not paddle unconsciously in a curve. We shall +certainly be pursued, and although our foes cannot see us well in the dark, +some out of their number are likely to blunder upon us. If it comes to a +battle you will notice that I have an extra rifle and pistol for you lying +in the bottom of the canoe, and that I am something more than a supple +dancer and leaper."</p> + +<p>"You not only think of everything, Tayoga, but you also do it, which is +better. I shall take care to keep dead ahead."</p> + +<p>Robert in his turn bent forward and plied the paddle. He was not only +fresh, but the wonderful thrill of escape gave him a strength far beyond +the normal, and the great canoe fairly danced over the waters toward the +dusky deeps of the lake, while the Onondaga crouched at the other end of +the canoe, rifle in hand, intently watching the heavy pall of dusk behind +them.</p> + +<p>Their situation was still dangerous in the extreme, but the soul of Tayoga +swelled with triumph. Tandakora, the Ojibway, had rejoiced because he had +expected a great taking of scalps, but the purer spirit of the Onondaga +soared into the heights because he had saved his comrade of a thousand +dangers. He still saw faintly through the darkness the campfires of the +victorious French and Indian army, and he heard the swish of paddles, but +he did not yet discern any pursuing canoe. He detached his eyes for a +moment from the bank of dusk in front of him, and looked up at the skies. +The clouds and vapors kept him from seeing the great star upon which his +patron saint, Tododaho, sat, but he knew that he was there, and that he was +watching over him. He could not have achieved so much in the face of +uttermost peril and then fail in the lesser danger.</p> + +<p>The canoe glided swiftly on toward the wider reaches of the lake, and the +Onondaga never relaxed his watchfulness, for an instant. He was poised in +the canoe, every nerve and muscle ready to leap in a second into activity, +while his ears were strained for the sounds of paddles or oars. Now he +relied, as often before, more upon hearing than sight. Presently a sound +came, and it was that of oars. A boat parted the wall of dusk and he saw +that it contained both French and Indians, eight in all, the warriors +uttering a shout as they beheld the fugitive canoe.</p> + +<p>"Keep steadily on, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "I have my long barreled +rifle, and it will carry much farther than those of the foe. In another +minute it will tell them they had best stop, and if they will not obey its +voice then I will repeat the command with your rifle."</p> + +<p>Robert heard the sharp report of Tayoga's weapon, and then a cry from the +pursuing boat, saying the bullet had found its mark.</p> + +<p>"They still come, though in a hesitating manner," said Tayoga, "and I must +even give them a second notice."</p> + +<p>Now Robert heard the crack of the other rifle, and the answering cry, +signifying that its bullet, too, had sped home.</p> + +<p>"They stop now," said Tayoga. "They heed the double command." He rapidly +reloaded the rifles, and Robert, who saw an uncommonly thick bank of dusk +ahead, paddled directly into the heart of it. They paused there a few +moments and neither saw nor heard any pursuers. Tayoga put down the rifles, +now ready again for his deadly aim, and the two kept for a long time a +straight course toward the center of the lake.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_X"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO</h3> + +<p>Tayoga, into whose hands Robert had entrusted himself with the uttermost +faith, at last said stop, and drawing the paddles into the canoe they took +long, deep breaths of relief. Around them was a world of waters, silver +under the moon and stars now piercing the dusk, and the Onondaga could see +the vast star on which sat the mighty chieftain who had gone away four +hundred years ago to eternal life.</p> + +<p>"O Tododaho," he murmured, "thou hast guarded us well."</p> + +<p>"Where do you think we are, Tayoga?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps twenty miles from land," replied the Onondaga, "and the farther +the better."</p> + +<p>"True, Tayoga. Never before did I see a big lake look so kindly. If it +didn't require so much effort I'd like to go to the very center of it and +stay there for a week."</p> + +<p>"Even as it is, Dagaeoga, we will wait here a while and take the long rest +we need."</p> + +<p>"And while we're doing nothing but swing in our great canoe, Tayoga, I want +to thank you for all you've done for me. I'd been a prisoner much longer +than I wished."</p> + +<p>"It but repays my debt, Dagaeoga. You will recall that you helped to save +me from the hands of Tandakora when he was going to burn me at the stake. +My imprisonment was short, but I have been in the forest the whole winter +and spring seeking to take you from Langlade."</p> + +<p>"All of which goes to show, Tayoga, that we must allow only one of us to be +captured at a time. The other must go free in order to rescue the one +taken."</p> + +<p>Although Robert's tone was light, his feeling was far from frivolous, but +he had been at extreme tension so long that he was compelled to seek +relief.</p> + +<p>"How did you manage it, Tayoga?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In the confusion of the attack on the forts and the rejoicing that +followed it was easy," replied the Onondaga. "When so many others were +dancing and leaping it attracted no attention for me to dance and leap +also, and I selected, without interference, the boat, the extra paddle, +weapons and ammunition that I wished. Areskoui and Tododaho did the rest. +Do you feel stronger now, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, I'm still able to handle the paddle. I suppose we'd better seek a +landing. We can't stay out in the lake forever. Tayoga, you've taken the +part of Providence itself. Now did it occur to you in your infinite wisdom, +while you were storing paddles, weapons and ammunition in this boat, to +store food also?"</p> + +<p>The Onondaga's smile was wide and satisfying.</p> + +<p>"I thought of that, too, Dagaeoga," he replied, "because I knew our +journey, if we should be so fortunate as to have a journey, would take us +out on the lake, and I knew, also, that no matter how many hardships and +dangers Dagaeoga might pass through, the time would come when he would be +hungry. It is always so with Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>He took a heavy knapsack from the bottom of the canoe and opened it.</p> + +<p>"It is a French knapsack," he said, "and it contains both bread and meat, +which we will enjoy."</p> + +<p>They ate in great content, and their spirits rose to an extraordinary +degree, though Tayoga regretted the absence of clothing which his disguise +had made necessary. Having been educated with white lads, and having +associated with white people so much, he was usually clad as completely as +they, either in their fashion or in his own full Indian costume.</p> + +<p>"My infinite wisdom was not so infinite that it told me to take a blanket," +he said, "and the wind coming down from the Canadian shore is growing +cold."</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised to hear you speak of such trifles as that, Tayoga, when +we've been dealing with affairs of life and death."</p> + +<p>"We are cold or we are warm, Dagaeoga, and peril and suffering do not alter +it. But lo! the wind is bringing the great mists with it, and we will +escape in them."</p> + +<p>They turned the canoe toward a point far to the east of the Indian camp and +began to paddle, not hastily but with long, slow, easy strokes that sent +the canoe over the water at a great rate. The fogs and vapors were thick +and close about them, but Tayoga knew the direction. Robert asked him if he +had heard of Willet, and the Onondaga said he had not seen him, but he had +learned from a Mohawk runner that the Great Bear had reached Waraiyageh +with the news of St. Luc's prospective advance, and Tayoga had also +contrived to get news through to him that he was lying in the forest, +waiting a chance to effect the rescue of Robert.</p> + +<p>Toward morning they landed on a shore, clothed in deep and primeval forest, +and with reluctance abandoned their canoe.</p> + +<p>"It is an Abenaki craft," said Tayoga. "It is made well, it has served us +well, and we will treat it well."</p> + +<p>Instead of leaving it on the lake to the mercy of storms they drew it into +some bushes at the mouth of a small creek, where it would stay securely, +and probably serve some day some chance traveler. Then they plunged into +the deep forest, but when they saw a smoke Robert remained hidden while +Tayoga went on, but with the intention of returning.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was quite sure the smoke indicated the presence of a small +village and his quest was for clothes.</p> + +<p>"Let Dagaeoga rest in peace here in the thicket," he said, "and when I come +back I shall be clad as a man. Have no fears for me. I will not enter the +village Until after dark."</p> + +<p>He glided away without noise, and Robert, having supreme confidence in him, +lay down among the bushes, which were so dense that the keenest eyes could +not have seen him ten feet away. His frame was relaxed so thoroughly after +his immense exertions and he felt such utter thankfulness at his escape +that he soon fell into a deep slumber rather than sleep, and when he awoke +the dark had come, bringing with it Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, in a tone of intense satisfaction, "I +have done well. It is not pleasant to me to take the property of others, +but in this case what I have seized must have been captured from the +English. No watch was kept in the village, as they had heard of their great +victory and the warriors were away. I secured three splendid blankets, two +of green and one of brown. Since you have a coat, Dagaeoga, you can have +one green blanket and I will take the other two, one to wear and the other +to sleep in. I also took away more powder and lead, and as I have my bullet +molds we can increase our ammunition when we need it. I have added, too, a +supply of venison to our beef and bread."</p> + +<p>"You're an accomplished burglar, Tayoga, but I think that in this case your +patron saint, Tododaho, will forgive you. I'm devoutly glad of the blanket. +I feel stiff and sore, after such great exertions, and I find I've grown +cold with the coming of the dark."</p> + +<p>"It is a relapse," said Tayoga with some anxiety. "The strain on mind and +body has been too great. Better wrap yourself in the blanket at once, and +lie quiet in the thicket."</p> + +<p>Robert was prompt to take his advice, as his body was hot and his sight +was wavering. He felt that he was going to be ill and he might get it over +all the quicker by surrendering to it at once. He rolled the blanket +tightly about himself and lay down on the softest spot he could find. In +the night he became delirious and talked continually of Langlade, St. Luc +and Montcalm. But Tayoga watched by him continually until late, when he +hunted through the forest by moonlight for some powerful herbs known to +the Indians. In the morning he beat them and bruised them and cooked them +as best he could without utensils, and then dropped the juices into his +comrade's mouth, after which he carefully put out the fire, lest it be seen +by savage rovers.</p> + +<p>Robert was soon very much better. He had a profuse perspiration and came +out of his unconscious state, but was quite weak. He was also thoroughly +ashamed of himself.</p> + +<p>"Nice time for me to be breaking down," he said, "here in the wilderness +near an Indian village, hundreds of miles from any of our friends, save +those who are captured. I make my apologies, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"They are not needed," said the Onondaga. "You defended me with your life +when I was wounded and the wolves sought to eat me, now I repay again. +There is nothing for Dagaeoga to do but to keep on perspiring, see that the +blanket is still wrapped around him, and tonight I will get something in +which to cook the food he needs."</p> + +<p>"How will you do that?"</p> + +<p>"I will go again to my village. I call it mine because it supplies what we +need and I will return with the spoil. Bide you in peace, Dagaeoga. You +have called me an accomplished burglar. I am more, I am a great one."</p> + +<p>Robert had the utmost confidence in him, and it was justified. When he +awoke from a restless slumber, Tayoga stood beside him, holding in his hand +a small iron kettle made in Canada, and a great iron spoon.</p> + +<p>"They are the best they had in the village," he said. "It is not a large +and rich village and so its possessions are not great, but I think these +will do. I have also brought with me some very tender meat of a young deer +that I found in one of the lodges."</p> + +<p>"You're all you claimed to be and more, Tayoga," said Robert earnestly and +gratefully.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga lighted a fire in a dip, and cutting the deer into tiny bits +made a most appetizing soup, which Robert's weak stomach was able to retain +and to crave more.</p> + +<p>"No," said Tayoga, "enough for tonight, but you shall have twice as much in +the morning. Now, go to sleep again."</p> + +<p>"I haven't been doing anything but sleep for the last day or two. I want to +get up and walk."</p> + +<p>"And have your fever come back. Besides, you are not strong enough yet to +walk more than a few steps."</p> + +<p>Robert knew that he would be forced to obey, and he passed the night partly +in dozing, and partly in staring at the sky. In the morning he was very +hungry and showed an increase of strength. Tayoga, true to his word, gave +him a double portion of the soup, but still forbade sternly any attempt at +walking.</p> + +<p>"Lie there, Dagaeoga," he said, "and let the wind blow over you, and I'll +go farther into the forest to see if friend or enemy be near."</p> + +<p>Robert, feeling that he must, lay peacefully on his back after the Onondaga +left him. He was free from fever, but he knew that Tayoga was right in +forbidding him to walk. It would be several days yet before he could +fulfill his old duties, as an active and powerful forest runner. Yet he was +very peaceful because the soreness of body that had troubled him was gone +and strength was flowing back into his veins. Despite the fact that he was +lying on his back alone in the wilderness, with savage foes not far away, +he believed that he had very much for which to be grateful. He had been +taken almost by a miracle out of the hands of his foes, and, when he was +ill and in his weakness might have been devoured by wild beasts or might +have starved to death, the most loyal and resourceful of comrades had been +by his side to save him.</p> + +<p>He saw the great star on which Tayoga's Tododaho lived, and he accepted so +much of the Iroquois theology, believing that it was in spirit and essence +the same as his own Christian belief, that he almost imagined he could see +the great Onondaga chieftain who had gone away four centuries ago. In any +event, it was a beneficent star, and he was glad that it shone down on him +so brilliantly.</p> + +<p>Tayoga before his departure had loaned him one of his blankets and now he +lay upon it, with the other wrapped around him, his loaded pistol in his +belt and his loaded rifle lying by his side. The fire that the Onondaga had +built in the dip not far away had been put out carefully and the ashes had +been scattered.</p> + +<p>Although it was midsummer, the night, as often happened in that northern +latitude, had come on cool, and the warmth of the blankets was not +unwelcome. Robert knew that he was only a mote in all that vast wilderness, +but the contiguity of the Indian village might cause warriors, either +arriving or departing, to pass near him. So he was not surprised when he +heard footsteps in the bushes not far away, and then the sound of voices. +Instinctively he tried to press his body into the earth, and he also lifted +carefully the loaded rifle, but second thought told him he was not likely +to be seen.</p> + +<p>Warriors presently came so near that they were visible, and to his surprise +and alarm he saw the huge figure of Tandakora among them. They were about a +dozen in number, walking in the most leisurely manner and once stopped very +close to him to talk. Although he raised himself up a little and clutched +the rifle more tightly he was still hopeful that they would not see him. +The Ojibway chieftain was in full war paint, with a fine new American +rifle, and also a small sword swinging from his belt. Both were undoubtedly +trophies of Oswego, and it was certain that after carrying the sword for a +while as a prize he would discard it. Indians never found much use for +swords.</p> + +<p>Robert always believed that Tayoga's Tododaho protected him that night, +because for a while all the chances were against him. As the warriors stood +near talking a frightened deer started up in the thicket, and Tandakora +himself brought it down with a lucky bullet, the unfortunate animal falling +not thirty yards from the hidden youth. They removed the skin and cut it +into portions where it lay, the whole task taking about a half hour, and +all the time Robert, lying under the brush, saw them distinctly.</p> + +<p>He was in mortal fear lest one of them wander into the dip where Tayoga had +built the fire, and see traces of the ashes, but they did not do so. Twice +warriors walked in that direction and his heart was in his mouth, but in +neither case did the errand take them so far. Tandakora was not alone in +bearing Oswego spoils. Nearly all of them had something, a rifle, a pistol +or a sword, and two wore officers' laced coats over their painted bodies. +The sight filled Robert with rage. Were his people to go on this way +indefinitely, sacrificing men and posts in unrelated efforts? Would they +allow the French, with inferior numbers, to beat them continuously? He had +seen Montcalm and talked with him, and he feared everything from that +daring and tenacious leader.</p> + +<p>While the Indians prepared the deer the moon and stars came out with +uncommon brilliancy, filling the forest with a misty, silver light. Robert +now saw Tandakora and his men so clearly that it seemed impossible for them +not to see him. Once more he had the instinctive desire to press himself +into the earth, but his mind told him that absolute silence was the most +necessary thing. As he lay, he could have picked off Tandakora with a +bullet from his rifle, and, so far as the border was concerned, he felt +that his own life was worth the sacrifice, but he loved his life and the +Ojibway might be put out of the way at some other time and place.</p> + +<p>Tayoga's Tododaho protected him once more. Two of the Indians wanted water +and they started in search of a brook which was never far away in that +region. It seemed for a moment or two that they would walk directly into +the dip, where scattered ashes lay, but the great Onondaga turned them +aside just in time and they found at another point the water they wished. +Robert's extreme tension lasted until they were back with the others. +Nevertheless their harmless return encouraged him in the belief that the +star was working in his behalf.</p> + +<p>The Indians were in no hurry. They talked freely over their task of +dressing and quartering the deer, and often they were so near that Robert +could hear distinctly what they said, but only once or twice did they use a +dialect that he could understand, and then they were speaking of the great +victory of Oswego, in which they confirmed the inference, drawn from the +spoils, that they like Tandakora had taken a part. They were in high good +humor, expecting more triumphs, and regarded the new French commander, +Montcalm, as a great and invincible leader.</p> + +<p>Robert was glad, then, that he was such an insignificant mote in the +wilderness and had he the power he would have made himself so small that he +would have become invisible, but as that was impossible he still trusted +in Tayoga's Tododaho. The Indian chief gave two of the warriors an order, +and they started on a course that would have brought them straight to him. +The lad gave himself up for lost, but, intending to make a desperate fight +for it, despite his weakness, his hand crept to the hammer and trigger of +his rifle. Something moved in the thicket, a bear, perhaps, or a lynx, and +the two Indians, when they were within twenty feet of him, turned aside to +investigate it. Then they went on, and it was quite clear again to Robert +that he had been right about the friendly intervention of Tododaho.</p> + +<p>Nor was it long until the truth was demonstrated to him once more, and in a +conclusive manner. The entire party departed, taking with them the portions +of the deer, and they passed so very close to him that their wary eyes, +which always watched on all sides, would have been compelled to see him, if +Tododaho, or perhaps it was Areskoui, or even Manitou, had not seen fit +just at that moment to draw a veil before the moon and stars and make the +shadow so deep under the bush where young Lennox lay that he was invisible, +although they stepped within fifteen feet of him. They went on in their +usual single file, disappearing in the direction of the village, while he +lay still and gave thanks.</p> + +<p>They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint +rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him.</p> + +<p>"I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw," said the Onondaga. +"It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the +earth and the air. Else they would have seen you."</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Robert, devoutly, "and it makes me all the more glad to +see you, Tayoga. I hope your journey, like all the others, has been +fruitful."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga smiled in the dusk.</p> + +<p>"It is a good village to which I go," he replied in his precise fashion. +"You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English +tongue a chemist's shop. It is such that I sought in the village, and I +found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could +reach at my leisure. Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from +the essence of the sassafras root. It will purge the impurities from your +blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong. Then +your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for +a long journey. I have also brought a small sack filled with samp."</p> + +<p>Robert uttered a little cry of joy. He craved bread, or at least something +that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as +hominy, was a most acceptable substitute.</p> + +<p>"You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga," he said.</p> + +<p>"I obtained also information," continued the Onondaga. "While I lay in one +of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking. They +believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them +and the French. Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and +he will take them from one victory to another. Their defeat by Andiatarocte +is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south. But they +intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and +English. Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the +Mountain Wolf."</p> + +<p>"Rogers! Is he somewhere near us?" exclaimed Robert eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him. The +Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. +Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, +with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as +they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us."</p> + +<p>"I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you +didn't, or if I didn't rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see +I did."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades. He would never desert +a friend in the hands of the enemy."</p> + +<p>"You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his +rangers?"</p> + +<p>"Of a certainty. As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough. Now lie still, while +I scout through the forest. If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and +then you must drink, and drink deep."</p> + +<p>He made a wide circuit, and, coming back, lighted a little fire on which he +warmed the tea in the pot that he had taken from the village on an earlier +night. Then, under the insistence of Tayoga, Robert drank a quantity that +amounted to three cups, and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which he +awoke the next day with an appetite so sharp that he felt able to bite a +big piece out of a tree.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go hunt a buffalo, kill him and eat him whole," he said in a +large, round voice.</p> + +<p>"If so Dagaeoga will have to roam far," said Tayoga sedately. "The buffalo +is not found east of the Alleghanies, as you well know."</p> + +<p>"Of course I know it, but what are time and distance to a Samson like me? I +say I will go forth and slay a buffalo, unless I am fed at once and in +enormous quantities."</p> + +<p>"Would a haunch of venison and a gallon of samp help Dagaeoga a little?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a little, they'd serve as appetizers for something real and +substantial to come."</p> + +<p>"Then if you feel so strong and are charged so full of ambition you can +help cook breakfast. You have had an easy time, Dagaeoga, but life +henceforth will not be all eating and sleeping."</p> + +<p>They had a big and pleasant breakfast together and Robert rejoiced in his +new vigor. It was wonderful to be so strong after having been so weak, it +was like life after death, and he was eager to start at once.</p> + +<p>"It is a good thing to have been ill," he said, "because then you know how +fine it is to be well."</p> + +<p>"But we will not depart before tomorrow," said the Onondaga decisively.</p> + +<p>"And why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you have lived long enough in the wilderness, Dagaeoga, to know +that one must always fight the weather. Look into the west, and you will +see a little cloud moving up from the horizon. It does not amount to much +at present, but it contains the seed of great things. It has been sent by +the Rain God, and it will not do yet for Dagaeoga, despite his new +strength, to travel in the rain."</p> + +<p>Robert became anxious as he watched the little cloud, which seemed to swell +as he looked at it, and which soon assumed an angry hue. He knew that +Tayoga had told the truth. Coming out of his fever it would be a terrible +risk for him to become drenched.</p> + +<p>"We will make a shelter such as we can in the dip where we built the fire," +said Tayoga, "and now you can use your new strength as much as you will in +wielding a tomahawk."</p> + +<p>They cut small saplings with utmost speed and speedily accomplished one of +the most difficult tasks of the border, making a rude brush shelter which +with the aid of their blankets would protect them from the storm. By the +time they had finished, the little cloud which had been at first a mere +signal had grown so prodigiously that it covered the whole heavens, and the +day became almost as dark as twilight. The lightning began to flash in +great, blazing strokes, and the thunder was so nearly continuous that the +earth kept up an incessant jarring. Then the rain poured heavily and Robert +saw Tayoga's wisdom. Although the shelter and his blanket kept the rain +from him he felt cold in the damp, and shivered as if with a chill.</p> + +<p>"When the storm stops, which will not be before dark," said Tayoga, "I +shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe. They have some, +acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them +belongs to you. So, Dagaeoga, I will get it."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already. I can make out very +well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet."</p> + +<p>"I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right. We work +together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one +member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of +battle. And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar? I +prove it anew tonight. As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, +the great storehouse of our supplies."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert +saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for +him to say more. The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank +to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert's teeth +chattered, despite every effort to control his body.</p> + +<p>"I go, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "and I shall return with the great, warm +buffalo robe that belongs to you."</p> + +<p>Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone. He +knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt +his success. The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, +and some of it seeped through. Now and then a drop found its way down his +neck, and it felt like ice. Physically he was very miserable, and it began +to depress his spirit. He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining +the buffalo robe.</p> + +<p>The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely. +There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more. He sank +into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened +by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter. It was Tayoga, and +he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm.</p> + +<p>"I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga," he said +cheerfully. "It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had +to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his +warriors to claim shelter, food and rest. Then I took what was your own and +here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen."</p> + +<p>He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and +the sight of it made Robert's teeth stop chattering. He wrapped it around +his body and sufficient warmth came back.</p> + +<p>"You're a marvel, Tayoga," he said. "Does the village contain anything else +that belongs to us?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I can think of now. The rain will cease entirely in an hour, +and then we will start."</p> + +<p>His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert +wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in +his frame. But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a +good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came +they were only a few miles away. Robert's strength, however, stood the +test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast. Much +refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much +more than motes in the wilderness. Robert hoped that some chance would +enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the +place of a father to him. It did not seem possible that the Great Bear +could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have +been fought since his capture. He could not associate death with a man so +powerful and vital as Willet.</p> + +<p>The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe. It was quite +a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came +and particularly if there were other storms. They saw many trails in the +afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands. Nearly all +of them led southeast.</p> + +<p>"The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes," he said, "have heard +of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, +expecting many scalps and great spoils. Whenever the French win a triumph +it means more warriors for them."</p> + +<p>"And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?"</p> + +<p>"It is likely, Dagaeoga. But if it comes to battle see how much better it +is that you should be strong and able."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as +we did."</p> + +<p>The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced. Evidently swarms of +warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted.</p> + +<p>"It will not be wise for us to advance farther," he said. "We must seek +some hiding place."</p> + +<p>"Hark to that!" exclaimed Robert.</p> + +<p>A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear. Tayoga listened +intently, and it was repeated once.</p> + +<p>"Pursuit!" he said briefly. "They have come by chance upon our trail. It +may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate. They will never leave us +now, unless they are driven back."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the +swarms are sure to be to the south of us."</p> + +<p>"It is so. Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we +will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also. I once left a +canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it."</p> + +<p>"What will we do with it if we find it?"</p> + +<p>"Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe. But now we must +press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga. See, there is a smoke in the south +and now another answers it in the north. They are talking about us."</p> + +<p>Robert saw the familiar signals which always meant peril to them, and he +was willing to go forward at the uttermost speed. He had become hardened in +a measure to danger, though it seemed to him that he was passing through +enough of it to last a lifetime. But his soul rose to meet it.</p> + +<p>They used all the customary devices to hide their traces, wading when there +was water, walking on stones or logs when they were available, but they +knew these stratagems would only delay Tandakora, they could not throw him +off the trail entirely. They hoped more from the coming dark, and, when +night came, it found them going at great speed. Just at twilight they heard +a faint shout again and the faint shout in reply, telling them the pursuit +was maintained, but the night fortunately proved to be very dark, and, an +hour or two later, they came to a heavy windrow, the result of some old +hurricane into which they drew for shelter and rest. They knew that not +even the Indian trailers could find them there in such darkness, and for +the present they were without apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they will pass us in the night?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Tayoga. "They will wait until the dawn and pick up the trail +anew."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better start again about midnight."</p> + +<p>"I think so, too."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, lying comfortably among the fallen trees and leaves, they waited +in silence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE MYSTIC VOYAGE</h3> + +<p>The long stay in the windrow served Robert well, more than atoning for the +drain made upon his strength by their rapid flight. In three or four hours +he was back in his normal state, and he felt proudly that he was now as +good as he had ever been. The night, as they had expected, was cold, and he +was thankful that he had hung on to the buffalo robe, in which he wrapped +himself once more, while Tayoga was snug between two big blankets.</p> + +<p>Robert dozed, but he was awakened by something stirring near them, and he +sat up with his finger on the trigger of his rifle. The Onondaga was +already listening and watching, ready with his weapon. Presently the white +youth heard his companion laughing softly, and his own tension relaxed, as +he knew Tayoga would not laugh without good cause.</p> + +<p>"It is a bear," said Tayoga, "and he has a lair in the windrow, not more +than twenty feet away. He has been out very late at night, too late for a +good, honest home-keeping bear, but he is back at last, and he smells us."</p> + +<p>"And alarmed by the odor he does not know whether to enter his home or not. +Well, I hope he'll conclude to take his rest. We eat bear at times, +Tayoga, but just now I wouldn't dream of harming one."</p> + +<p>"Nor would I, Dagaeoga, and maybe the bear will divine that we are +harmless, that is, Tododaho or Areskoui will tell him in some way of which +we know nothing that his home is his own to be entered without fear."</p> + +<p>"I think I hear him moving now, and also puffing a little."</p> + +<p>"You hear aright, Dagaeoga. Tododaho has whispered to him, even as I said, +and he is going into his den which I know is snug and warm, in the very +thickest part of the windrow. Now he is lying down in it with the logs and +branches about him, and soon he will be asleep, dreaming happy dreams of +tender roots and wild honey with no stings of bees to torment him."</p> + +<p>"You grow quite poetical, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Although foes are hunting us, I feel the spirit of the forest and of peace +strong upon me, Dagaeoga. Moreover, Tododaho, as I told you, has whispered +to the animals that we are not to be feared tonight. Hark to the tiny +rustling just beyond the log against which we lie!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear it, and what do you make of it, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Rabbits seeking their nests. They, too, have snuffed about, noticing the +man odor, which man himself cannot detect, and once they started away in +alarm, but now they are reassured, and they have settled themselves down to +sleep in comfort and security."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, you talk well and fluently, but as I have told you before, you +talk out of a dictionary."</p> + +<p>"But as I learned my English out of a dictionary I cannot talk otherwise. +That is why my language is always so much superior to yours, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"I'll let it be as you claim it, you boaster, but what noise is that now? I +seem to hear the light sound of hoofs."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga raised himself to his full height and peered over the dense +masses of trunks and boughs, his keen eyes cutting the thick dusk. Then he +sank back, and, when he replied, his voice showed distinct pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Two deer have come into a little open space, around which the arms of the +windrow stretch nearly all the way, and they have crouched there, where +they will rest, indifferent to the nearness of the bear. Truly, O Dagaeoga, +we have come into the midst of a happy family, and we have been accepted, +for the night, as members of it."</p> + +<p>"It must be so, Tayoga, because I see a figure much larger than that of the +deer approaching. Look to the north and behold that shadow there under the +trees."</p> + +<p>"I see it, Dagaeoga. It is the great northern moose, a bull. Perhaps he has +wandered down from Canada, as they are rare here. They are often +quarrelsome, but the bull is going to take his rest, within the shelter of +the windrow, and leave its other people at peace. Now he has found a good +place, and he will be quiet for the night."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you sleep a while, Tayoga. You have done all the watching for a +long time, and, as I'm fit and fine now, it's right for me to take up my +share of the burden."</p> + +<p>"Very well, but do not fail to awaken me in about three hours. We must not +be caught here in the morning by the warriors."</p> + +<p>He was asleep almost instantly, and Robert sat in a comfortable position +with his rifle across his knees. Responsibility brought back to him +self-respect and pride. He was now a full partner in the partnership, and +will and strength together made his faculties so keen that it would have +been difficult for anything about the windrow to have escaped his +attention. He heard the light rustlings of other animals coming to comfort +and safety, and flutterings as birds settled on upthrust boughs, many of +which were still covered with leaves. Once he heard a faint shout deep in +the forest, brought by the wind a great distance, and he was sure that it +was the cry of their Indian pursuers. Doubtless it was a signal and had +connection with the search, but he felt no alarm. Under the cover of +darkness Tayoga and he were still motes in the wilderness, and, while the +night lasted, Tandakora could not find them.</p> + +<p>When he judged that the three hours had passed he awoke the Onondaga and +they took their silent way north by east, covering much more distance by +dawn. But both were certain that warriors of Tandakora would pick up their +traces again that day. They would spread through the forest, and, when one +of them struck the trail, a cry would be sufficient to call the others. +But they pressed on, still adopting every possible device to throw off +their pursuers, and they continued their flight several days, always +through an unbroken forest, over hills and across many streams, large and +small. It seemed, at times, to Robert that the pursuit must have dropped +away, but Tayoga was quite positive that Tandakora still followed. The +Ojibway, he said, had divined the identity of the fugitives and every +motive would make him follow, even all the way across the Province of New +York and beyond, if need be.</p> + +<p>They came at last to a lake, large, beautiful, extending many miles through +the wilderness, and Tayoga, usually so calm, uttered a little cry of +delight, which Robert repeated, but in fuller volume.</p> + +<p>"I think lakes are the finest things in the world," he said. "They always +stir me."</p> + +<p>"And that is why Manitou put so many and such splendid ones in the land of +the Hodenosaunee," said Tayoga. "This is Ganoatohale, which you call in +your language Oneida, and it is on its shores that I hid the canoe of which +I spoke to you. I think we shall find it just as I left it."</p> + +<p>"I devoutly hope so. A canoe and paddles would give me much pleasure just +now, and Ganoatohale will leave no trail."</p> + +<p>They walked northward along the shore of the lake, and they came to a place +where many tall reeds grew thick and close in shallow water. Tayoga plunged +into the very heart of them and Robert's heart rose with a bound, when he +reappeared dragging after him a large and strong canoe, containing two +paddles.</p> + +<p>"It has rested in quiet waiting for us," he said. "It is a good canoe, and +it knew that I would come some time to claim it."</p> + +<p>"Before we go upon our voyage," said Robert, "I think we shall have to pay +some attention to the question of food. My pouch is about empty."</p> + +<p>"And so is mine. We shall have to take the risk, Dagaeoga, and shoot a +deer. Tandakora may be so far behind that none of his warriors will hear +the shot, but even so we cannot live without eating. We will, however, hunt +from the canoe. Since the war began, all human beings have gone away from +this lake, and the deer should be plentiful."</p> + +<p>They launched the canoe on the deep waters, and the two took up the +paddles, sending their little craft northward, with slow, deliberate +strokes. They had the luck within the hour to find a deer drinking, and +with equal luck Robert slew it at the first shot. They would have taken the +body into the canoe, but the burden was too great, and Tayoga cut it up and +dressed it with great dispatch, while Robert watched. Then they made room +for the four quarters and again paddled northward. Fearing that Tandakora +had come much nearer, while they were busy with the deer, they did not dare +the wide expanse of the lake, but remained for the present under cover of +the overhanging forest on the western shore.</p> + +<p>"If we put the lake between Tandakora and ourselves," said Robert, "we +ought to be safe."</p> + +<p>"It is likely that they, too, have canoes hidden in the reeds," said +Tayoga. "Since the French and their allies have spread so far south they +would provide for the time when they wanted to go upon the waters of +Ganoatohale. It is almost a certainty that we shall be pursued upon the +lake."</p> + +<p>They continued northward, never leaving the dark shadow cast by the dense +leafage, and, as they went slowly, they enjoyed the luxury of the canoe. +After so much walking through the wilderness it was a much pleasanter +method of traveling. But they did not forget vigilance, continually +scanning the waters, and Robert's heart gave a sudden beat as he saw a +black dot appear upon the surface of the lake in the south. It was followed +in a moment by another, then another and then three more.</p> + +<p>"It is the band of Tandakora, beyond a doubt," said Tayoga with conviction. +"They had their canoes among the reeds even as we had ours, and now it is +well for us that water leaves no trail."</p> + +<p>"Shall we hide the canoe again, and take to the woods?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, Dagaeoga. They have had no chance to see us yet. We will +withdraw among the reeds until night comes, and then under its cover cross +Ganoatohale."</p> + +<p>Keeping almost against the bank, they moved gently until they came to a +vast clump of reeds into which they pushed the canoe, while retaining their +seats in it. In the center they paused and waited. From that point they +could see upon the lake, while remaining invisible themselves, and they +waited.</p> + +<p>The six canoes or large boats, they could not tell at the distance which +they were, went far out into the lake, circled around for a while, and then +bore back toward the western shore, along which they passed, inspecting it +carefully, and drawing steadily nearer to Robert and Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"Now, let us give thanks to Tododaho, Areskoui and to Manitou himself," +said the Onondaga, "that they have been pleased to make the reeds grow in +this particular place so thick and so tall."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Robert, "they're fine reeds, beautiful reeds, a greater bulwark +to us just now than big oaks could be. Think you, Tayoga, that you +recognize the large man in the first boat?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, I know him, as you do also. How could we mistake our great +enemy, Tandakora? It is a formidable fleet, too strong for us to resist, +and, like the wise man, we hide when we cannot fight."</p> + +<p>Robert's pulses beat so hard they hurt, but he would not show any +uneasiness in the presence of Tayoga, and he sat immovable in the canoe. +Nearer and nearer came the Indian fleet, partly of canoes and partly of +boats, and he counted in them sixteen warriors, all armed heavily. Now he +prayed to Manitou, and to his own God who was the same as Manitou, that no +thought of pushing among the reeds would enter Tandakora's head. The fleet +soon came abreast of them, but his prayers were answered, as Tandakora led +ahead, evidently thinking the fugitives would not dare to hide and lie in +waiting, but would press on in flight up the western shore.</p> + +<p>"I could pick him off from here with a bullet," said Robert, looking at the +huge, painted chest of the Ojibway chief.</p> + +<p>"But our lives would be the forfeit," the Onondaga whispered back.</p> + +<p>"I had no intention of doing it."</p> + +<p>"Now they have passed us, and for the while we are safe. They will go on up +the lake, until they find no trace of us there, and then Tandakora will +come back."</p> + +<p>"But how does he know we have a canoe?"</p> + +<p>"He does not know it, but he feels sure of it because our trail led +straight to the lake, and we would not purposely come up against such a +barrier, unless we knew of a way to cross it."</p> + +<p>"That sounds like good logic. Of course when they return they'll make a +much more thorough search of the lake's edge, and then they'd be likely to +find us if we remained here."</p> + +<p>"It is so, but perhaps the night will come before Tandakora, and then we'll +take flight upon the lake."</p> + +<p>They pushed their canoe back to the edge of the reeds, and watched the +Indian boats passing in single file northward, becoming smaller and smaller +until they almost blended with the water, but both knew they would return, +and in that lay their great danger. The afternoon was well advanced, but +the sun was very brilliant, and it was hot within the reeds. Great +quantities of wild fowl whirred about them and along the edges of the +lake.</p> + +<p>"No warriors are in hiding near us," said Tayoga, "or the wild fowl would +fly away. We can feel sure that we have only Tandakora and his band to +fear."</p> + +<p>Robert had never watched the sun with more impatience. It was already going +down the western arch, but it seemed to him to travel with incredible +slowness. Far in the north the Indian boats were mere black dots on the +water, but they were turning. Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he +said. "We can gain at least that much advantage."</p> + +<p>Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, +extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting +shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than +one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open +water. Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited +the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety. They recognized that +their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so. If only the night +would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although +at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly +that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side +to darkness.</p> + +<p>The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank. It poured +showers of rays upon the broad surface of the lake, and the silver of the +waters turned to orange and gold. Everything there was enlarged and made +more vivid, standing out twofold against the burning western background. +Nothing beyond the shadow could escape the observation of the Indians in +the boats, and they themselves in Robert's intense imagination changed from +a line of six light craft into a great fleet.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless the sun, lingering as if it preferred their side of the world +to any other, was bound to go at last. The deep colors in the water faded. +The orange and gold changed back to silver, and the silver, in its turn, +gave way to gray, twilight began to draw a heavy veil over the east, and +Tayoga said in deep tones:</p> + +<p>"Lo, the Sun God has decided that we may escape! He will let the night come +before Tandakora!"</p> + +<p>Then the sun departed all at once, and the brilliant afterglow soon faded. +Night settled down, thick and dark, with the waters, ruffled by a light +wind, showing but dimly. The line of Tandakora became invisible, and the +two youths felt intense relief.</p> + +<p>"Now we will start toward the northeastern end of the lake," said Tayoga. +"It will be wiser than to seek the shortest road across, because Tandakora +will think naturally that we have gone that way, and he will take it also."</p> + +<p>"And it's paddling all night for us," said Robert "Well, I welcome it."</p> + +<p>They were interrupted by the whirring of the wild fowl again, though on a +much greater scale than before. The twilight was filled with feathered +bodies. Tayoga, in an instant, was all attention.</p> + +<p>"Something has frightened them," he said.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps a bear or a deer," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think not. They are used to wild animals, and would not be startled at +their approach. There is only one being that everything in the forest +generally fears."</p> + +<p>"Man?"</p> + +<p>"Even so, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better pull in close to the bank and look."</p> + +<p>"It would be wise."</p> + +<p>Robert saw that the Onondaga, with his acute instincts, was deeply alarmed, +and he too felt that the wild fowl had given warning. They sent the canoe +with a few silent strokes through the shallow water almost to the edge of +the land, and, as it nearly struck bottom, two dusky figures rising among +the bushes threw their weight upon them. The light craft sank almost to the +edges with the weight, but did not overturn, and both attackers and +attacked fell out of it into the lake.</p> + +<p>Robert for a moment saw a dusky face above him, and instinctively he +clasped the body of a warrior in his arms. Then the two went down together +in the water. The Indian was about to strike at him with a knife, but the +lake saved him. As the water rushed into eye, mouth and nostril the two +fell apart, but Robert was able to keep his presence of mind in that +terrible moment, and, as he came up again, he snatched out his own knife +and struck almost blindly.</p> + +<p>He felt the blade encounter resistance, and then pass through it. He heard +a choked cry and he shuddered violently. All his instincts were for +civilization and against the taking of human life, and he had struck merely +to save his own, but almost articulate words of thankfulness bubbled to his +lips as he saw the dark figure that had hovered so mercilessly over him +disappear. Then a second figure took the place of the first and he drew +back the fatal blade again, but a soft voice said:</p> + +<p>"Do not strike, Dagaeoga. I also have accounted for one of the warriors who +attacked us, and no more have yet come. We may thank the wild fowl. Had +they not warned us we should have perished."</p> + +<p>"And even then we had luck, or your Tododaho is still watching over us. I +struck at random, but the blade was guided to its mark."</p> + +<p>"And so was mine. What you say is also proved to be true by the fact that +the canoe did not overturn, when they threw themselves upon us. The chances +were at least ninety-nine out of a hundred that it would do so."</p> + +<p>"And our arms and ammunition and our deer?"</p> + +<p>"All in the canoe, except the weapons that are in our belts."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, it is quite sure that your Tododaho has been watching over +us. But where is the canoe?"</p> + +<p>Robert was filled with alarm and horror. They were standing above their +knees in the water, and they no longer saw the little craft, which had +become a veritable ship of refuge to them. They peered about frantically +in the dusk and then Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"There is a strong breeze blowing from the land and waves are beginning to +run on the water. They have taken the canoe out into the lake. We must swim +in search of it."</p> + +<p>"And if we don't find it?"</p> + +<p>"Then we drown, but O Dagaeoga, death in the water is better than death in +the fires that Tandakora will kindle."</p> + +<p>"We might escape into the woods."</p> + +<p>"Warriors who have come upon our trail are there, and would fall upon us at +once. The attack by the two who failed proves their presence."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, we must take the perilous chance and swim for the canoe."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>Both were splendid swimmers, even with their clothes on, and, wading out +until the water was above their waists, they began to swim with strong and +steady strokes toward the middle of the lake, following with exactness the +course of the wind. All the time they sought with anxious eyes through the +dusk for a darker shadow that might be the canoe. The wind rose rapidly, +and now and then the crest of a wave dashed over them. Less expert swimmers +would have sunk, but their muscles were hardened by years of forest +life—all Robert's strength had come back to him—and an immense vitality +made the love of life overwhelming in them. They fought with all the +powers of mind and body for the single chance of overtaking the canoe.</p> + +<p>"I hope you see it, Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied the Onondaga. "The darkness is heavy over the lake, and +the mists and vapors, rising from the water, increase it."</p> + +<p>"It was a fine canoe, Tayoga, and it holds our rifles, our ammunition, our +deer, my buffalo robe, and all our precious belongings. We have to find +it."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga. We have no other choice. We truly swim for life. One +could pray at this time to have all the powers of a great fish. Do you see +anything behind us?"</p> + +<p>Robert twisted his head and looked over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I see no pursuit," he replied. "I cannot even see the shore, as the mists +and vapors have settled down between. In a sense we're out at sea, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"And Ganoatohale is large. The canoe, too, is afloat upon its bosom and is, +as you say, out at sea. We and it must meet or we are lost. Are you weary, +Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. I can still swim for quite a while."</p> + +<p>"Then float a little, and we can take the exact course of the wind again. +The canoe, of course, will continue to go the way the wind goes."</p> + +<p>"Unless it's deflected by currents which do not always follow the wind."</p> + +<p>"I do not notice any current, and to follow the wind is our only hope. The +mists and vapors will hide the canoe from us until we are very close to it"</p> + +<p>"And you may thank Tododaho that they will hide something else also. +Unless I make a great mistake, Tayoga, I hear the swish of paddles."</p> + +<p>"You make no mistake, Dagaeoga. I too hear paddles, ten, a dozen, or more +of them. It is the fleet of Tandakora coming back and it will soon be +passing between us and the shore. Truly we may be thankful, as you say, for +the mists and vapors which, while they hide the canoe from us, also hide us +from our enemies."</p> + +<p>"I shall lie flat upon my back and float, and I'll blend with the water."</p> + +<p>"It is a wise plan, Dagaeoga. So shall I. Then Tandakora himself would not +see us, even if he passed within twenty feet of us."</p> + +<p>"He is passing now, and I can see the outlines of their boats."</p> + +<p>The two were silent as the fish themselves, sustained by imperceptible +strokes, and Robert saw the fleet of Tandakora pass in a ghostly line. They +looked unreal, a shadow following shadows, the huge figure of the Ojibway +chief in the first boat a shadow itself. Robert's blood chilled, and it was +not from the cold of the water. He was in a mystic and unreal world, but a +world in which danger pressed in on every side. He felt like one living +back in a primeval time. The swish of the paddles was doubled and tripled +by his imagination, and the canoes seemed to be almost on him.</p> + +<p>The questing eyes of Tandakora and his warriors swept the waters as far as +the night, surcharged with mists and vapors, would allow, but they did not +see the two human figures, so near them and almost submerged in the lake. +The sound of the swishing paddles moved southward, and the line of ghostly +canoes melted again, one by one, into the darkness.</p> + +<p>"They're gone, Tayoga," whispered Robert in a tone of immense relief.</p> + +<p>"So they are, Dagaeoga, and they will seek us long elsewhere. Are you yet +weary?"</p> + +<p>"I might be at another time, but with my life at stake I can't afford to +grow tired. Let us follow the wind once more."</p> + +<p>They swam anew with powerful strokes, despite the long time they had been +in the water, and no sailors, dying of thirst, ever scanned the sea more +eagerly for a sail than they searched through the heavy dusk for their lost +canoe. The wind continued to rise, and the waves with it. Foam was often +dashed over their heads, the water grew cold to their bodies, now and then +they floated on their backs to rest themselves and thus the singular chase, +with the wind their only guide, was maintained.</p> + +<p>Robert was the first to see a dim shape, but he would not say anything +until it grew in substance and solidity. Nevertheless hope flooded his +heart, and then he said:</p> + +<p>"The wind has guided us aright, Tayoga. Unless some evil spirit has taught +my eyes to lie to me that is our canoe straight ahead."</p> + +<p>"It has all the appearance of a canoe, Dagaeoga, and since the only canoe +on this part of the lake is our canoe, then our canoe it is."</p> + +<p>"And none too soon. I'm not yet worn out, but the cold of the water is +entering my bones. I can see very clearly now that it's the canoe, our +canoe. It stands up like a ship, the strongest canoe, the finest canoe, the +friendliest canoe that ever floated on a lake or anywhere else. I can hear +it saying to us: 'I have been waiting for you. Why didn't you come +sooner?'"</p> + +<p>"Truly when Dagaeoga is an old, old man, nearly a hundred, and the angel of +death comes for him, he will rise up in his bed and with the rounded words +pouring from his lips he will say to the angel: 'Let me make a speech only +an hour long and then I will go with you without trouble, else I stay here +and refuse to die.'"</p> + +<p>"I'm using words to express my gratitude, Tayoga. Look, the canoe is moving +slowly toward the center of the lake, but it stays back as much as the wind +will let it and keeps beckoning to us. A few more long, swift strokes, +Tayoga, and we're beside it."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, and we must be careful how we climb into it. It is no light +task to board a canoe in the middle of a lake. Since Tododaho would not let +it be overturned, when we fell out of it, we must not overturn it ourselves +when we get back into it, else we lose all our arms, ammunition and other +supplies."</p> + +<p>The canoe was now not more than fifty feet in front of them, moving +steadily farther and farther from land before the wind that blew out of the +west, but, sitting upright on the waters like a thing of life, bearing its +precious freight. The mists and vapors had closed in so much now that their +chance of seeing it had been only one in a thousand, and yet that lone +chance had happened. The devout soul of Tayoga was filled with gratitude. +Even while swimming he looked up at the great star that he could not see +beyond the thick veil of cloud, but, knowing it was there, he returned +thanks to the mighty Onondaga chieftain who had saved them so often.</p> + +<p>"The canoe retreats before us, Dagaeoga," he said, "but it is not to escape +us, it is to beckon us on, out of the path of Tandakora's boats which soon +may be returning again and which will now come farther out into the lake, +thinking that we may possibly have made a dash under the cover of the +mists."</p> + +<p>"What you predict is already coming true, Tayoga," said Robert, "because I +hear the first faint dip of their paddles once more, and they can't be more +than two hundred yards behind us."</p> + +<p>The regular swishing grew louder and came closer, but the courage of the +two youths was still high. They had been drawn on so steadily by the canoe, +apparently in a predestined course, and they had been victors over so many +dangers, that they were confident the boats of Tandakora would pass once +more and leave them unseen.</p> + +<p>"They're almost abreast of us now, Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, looking back. "They do not appear +through the mist and we hear only the paddles, but we know the threat is +there, and we can follow them as well with ear as with eye. They keep +straight on, going back toward the north. Nothing tells them we are here, +as our canoe beckons to us, nothing guides them to that for which they are +looking. Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and +now it is gone wholly. They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the +last of our strength and overtake the canoe."</p> + +<p>They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the +side of the canoe. Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the +first to climb into it. The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few +minutes exhausted on the bottom. Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full +voice:</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, +because we have looked into the face of death."</p> + +<p>Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga +that their escape was a miracle. His nature contained much that was devout +and spiritual and he, too, with his impressionable imagination, peopled +earth and air almost unconsciously with spirits, good and bad. The good and +bad often fought together, and sometimes the good prevailed as they had +just done. There lay in the canoe the paddles, which they had lifted out of +the water in their surprise at the sudden attack, and beside them were the +rifles and everything else they needed.</p> + +<p>They were content to let the canoe travel its own course for a long time, +and that course was definite and certain, as if guided by the hand of man. +The wind always carried it toward the northeast and farther and farther +away from the fleet of Tandakora. But they took off their clothing, wrung +out as much water as they could, and wrapped themselves in the dry blankets +from their packs. Robert's spirits, stimulated by the reaction, bubbled up +in a wonderful manner.</p> + +<p>"We'll see no more of Tandakora for a long time, at least," he exclaimed, +"and now, ho! for our wonderful voyage!"</p> + +<p>They drew the wet charges from their pistols and reloaded them, they +polished anew their hatchets and knives and then, these tasks done, they +still sat for a long time in the canoe, idle and content. Their little boat +needed no help or guidance from their hands. That favoring wind always +carried it away from their enemies and in the direction in which they +wished it to go. And yet the wind did not blow away the mists and vapors, +that grew thicker and thicker around them, until they could not see twenty +feet away.</p> + +<p>Robert's feeling that they were protected, his sense of the spiritual and +mystic, grew, and he saw that the mind of Tayoga was under the same spell. +The waters of the lake were friendly now. As they lapped around the canoe +they made a soothing sound, and the wind that guided and propelled them +sang a low but pleasant song.</p> + +<p>"We are in the arms of Tododaho," said Tayoga in a reverential tone, "and +Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, also looks on and smiles. What need for us to +strive when the gods themselves take us in their keeping?"</p> + +<p>Hours passed before they spoke again. They had been at the uttermost verge +of exhaustion when they climbed into the canoe, and perhaps physical +weakness had made their minds more receptive to the belief that they were +in hands mightier than their own, but even as strength came back the +conviction remained in all its primitive force. Warmth returned to their +bodies, wrapped in the blankets, and they felt an immense peace. Midnight +passed and the boat bore steadily on with its two silent occupants.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE MARVELOUS TRAILER</h3> + +<p>"Where are we, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>Robert stirred from a doze and the words were involuntary. He looked upon +water, covered with mists and vapors, and the driving wind was still behind +them.</p> + +<p>"I know not, Dagaeoga," replied the Onondaga in devout tones. "I too have +dozed for a while, and awoke to find nothing changed. All I know is that we +are yet on the bosom of Ganoatohale, and that the west wind has borne us +on. I have always loved the west wind, Dagaeoga. Its breath is sweet on my +face. It comes from the setting sun, from the greatest of all seas that +lies beyond our continent, it blows over the vast unknown plains that are +trodden by the buffalo in myriads, it comes across the mighty forests of +the great valley, it is loaded with all the odors and perfumes of our +immense land, and now it carries us, too, to safety."</p> + +<p>"You talk in hexameters, Tayoga, but I think your rhapsody is justified. I +also have plenty of cause now to love the west wind. How long do you think +it will be until we feel the dawn on our faces?"</p> + +<p>"Two hours, perhaps, but we may reach land before then. While I cannot +smell the dawn I seem to perceive the odor of the forest. Now it grows +stronger, and lo, Dagaeoga, there is another sign! Do you not notice it?"</p> + +<p>"No, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"The west wind that has served us so well is dying. <i>Gaoh</i>, which in +our language of the Hodenosaunee is the spirit of the winds, knows that we +need it no more. Surely the land is near because <i>Gaoh</i> after being a +benevolent spirit to us so long would not desert us at the last moment."</p> + +<p>"I think you must be right, Tayoga, because now I also notice the strong, +keen perfume of the woods, and our west wind has sunk to almost nothing."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Dagaeoga, it is more than that. It has died wholly. <i>Gaoh</i> +tells us that having brought us so near the land we can now fend for +ourselves."</p> + +<p>The air became absolutely still, the swell ceased, the surface of the lake +became as smooth as glass, and, as if swept back by a mighty, unseen hand, +the mists and vapors suddenly floated away toward the east. Tayoga and +Robert uttered cries of admiration and gratitude, as a high, green shore +appeared, veiled but not hidden in the dusk.</p> + +<p>"So Tododaho has brought us safely across the waters of Ganoatohale," said +the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea of the point to which we have come?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, but it is sufficient that we have come to the shore anywhere. And see, +Dagaeoga, the mists and vapors still hang heavily over the western half of +the lake, forming an impenetrable wall that shuts us off from Tandakora +and his warriors. Truly we are for the time the favorites of the gods."</p> + +<p>"Even so, Tayoga, you see, too, that we have come to land just where a +little river empties into the lake, and we can go on up it."</p> + +<p>They paddled with vigorous arms into the mouth of the stream, and did not +stop until the day came. It was a beautiful little river, the massed +vegetation growing in walls of green to the very water's edge, the songs of +innumerable birds coming out of the cool gloom on either side. Robert was +enchanted. His spirits were still at the high key to which they had been +raised by the events of the night. Both he and Tayoga had enjoyed many +hours of rest in the canoe, and now they were keen and strong for the day's +work. So, it was long after dawn when they stopped paddling, and pushed +their prow into a little cove.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Robert, "I think we can land, dress, and cook some of this +precious deer, which we have brought with us in spite of everything."</p> + +<p>Their clothing had been dried by the sun, and they resumed it. Then, taking +all risks, they lighted a fire, broiled tender steaks and ate like giants +who had finished great labors.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Tayoga, "that when we proceed a few miles farther it will +be better to leave the canoe. It is likely that as we advance the river +will become narrower, and we would be an easy target for a shot from the +bank."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to abandon a canoe which has brought us safely across the +lake."</p> + +<p>"We will put it away where it can await our coming another time. But I +think we can dare the river for some distance yet."</p> + +<p>Robert had spoken for the sake of precaution, and he was easily persuaded +to continue in the river some miles, as traveling by canoe was pleasant, +and after their miraculous escape or rather rescue, as it seemed to them, +their spirits, already high, were steadily rising higher. The lone little +river of the north, on which they were traveling, presented a spectacle of +uncommon beauty. Its waters flowed in a clear, silver stream down to the +lake, deeper in tint on the still reaches, and, flashing in the sunlight, +where it rushed over the shallows.</p> + +<p>All the time they moved between two lofty, green walls, the forest growing +so densely on either shore that they could not see back into it more than +fifty yards, while the green along its lower edges was dotted with pink and +blue and red, where the delicate wild flowers were blooming. The birds in +the odorous depths of the foliage sang incessantly, and Robert had never +before heard them sing so sweetly.</p> + +<p>"I don't think any of our foes can be in ambush along the river," he said. +"It's too peaceful and the birds sing with too much enthusiasm. You +remember how they warned us of danger once by all going away?"</p> + +<p>"True, Dagaeoga, and at any time now they may leave. But, like you, I am +willing to take the risk for several hours more. Most of the warriors must +be far south of us unless the rangers are in this region, and a special +force has been sent to meet them."</p> + +<p>They came by and by to a long stretch of rippling shallows, and they were +compelled to carry the canoe with its load through the woods and around +them, the task, owing to the density of the forest and thicket and the +weight of their burden, straining their muscles and drawing perspiration +from their faces. But they took consolation from the fact that game was +amazingly plentiful. Deer sprang up everywhere, and twice they caught +glimpses of bears shambling away. Squirrels chattered over their heads and +the little people of the forest rustled all about them.</p> + +<p>"It shows that no human being has been through here recently," said Tayoga, +"else the game, big and little, would not have been stirring abroad with so +much confidence."</p> + +<p>"Then as soon as we make the portage we can return to the river with the +canoe."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga grows lazy. Does he not know that to do the hard thing +strengthens both mind and body? Has he forgotten what Mynheer Jacobus +Huysman told us so often in Albany? Now is a splendid opportunity for +Dagaeoga to harden himself a great deal."</p> + +<p>"I realize it, Tayoga, but I don't want my mind and body to grow too hard. +When one is all steel one ceases to be receptive. Can you see the river +through the trees there?"</p> + +<p>"I catch the glitter of sunlight on the water."</p> + +<p>"I hope it looks like deep water."</p> + +<p>"It is sufficient to float the canoe and the lazy Dagaeoga can take to his +paddle again."</p> + +<p>They put their boat back into the stream, uttering great sighs of relief, +and resumed the far more pleasant travel by water, the day remaining golden +as if doing its best to please them. They had another long stretch of good +water, and they did not stop until they were well into the afternoon. Then +Tayoga proposed that they make a fire and cook all of the deer.</p> + +<p>"It seems that the risk here is not great," he said, "and we may not have +the chance later on."</p> + +<p>Robert, who still felt that they were protected and that for a day or two +no harm could come to them under any circumstances, was more than willing, +and they spent the remainder of the day in their culinary task. After dark +he slept three hours, to be followed by Tayoga for the same length of time, +and about midnight they started up the stream again, with their food cooked +and ready beside them.</p> + +<p>Although the Onondaga shared Robert's feeling that they were protected for +the time, both exercised all their usual caution, believing thoroughly in +the old saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. It was this +watchfulness, particularly of ear, that caused them to hear the dip of +paddles approaching up the stream. Softly and in silence, they lifted the +canoe out of water and hid with it in the greenwood. Then they saw a fleet +of eight large canoes go by, all containing warriors, armed heavily and in +full war paint.</p> + +<p>"Hurons," whispered Tayoga. "They go south for a great taking of scalps, +doubtless to join Montcalm, who is surely meditating another sudden and +terrible blow."</p> + +<p>"And he will strike at our forts by Andiatarocte," rejoined Robert. "I hope +we can find Willet and Rogers soon and take the news. All the woods must be +full of warriors going south to Montcalm."</p> + +<p>"They have French guns, and good ones too, and they are wrapped in French +blankets. Onontio does not forget the power of the warriors and draws them +to him."</p> + +<p>The silent file of war canoes passed on and out of sight, and, for a space, +Robert's heart was heavy within him. He felt the call of battle, he ought +to be in the south, giving what he could to the defense against the might +of Montcalm, but to go now would be merely a dash in the dark. They must +continue to seek Willet and Rogers.</p> + +<p>When the last Indian canoe was far beyond hearing they relaunched their own +and paddled until nearly daybreak, coming to a place where bushes and tall +grass grew thick in the shallow water at the edge of the river.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Tayoga, "we will leave the canoe. A good hiding place offers +itself, and with the dawn it will be time for us to take to the woods."</p> + +<p>They concealed with great art the little boat that had served them so well, +sinking it in the heart of the densest growth and then drawing back the +bushes and weeds so skillfully that the keenest Indian eye would not have +noticed that anyone had ever been there.</p> + +<p>"I hope," said Robert sincerely, "that we'll have the chance to return +here some time or other and use it again."</p> + +<p>"That rests in the keeping of Manitou," said the Onondaga, "and now we will +take up our packs and go eastward toward Oneadatote."</p> + +<p>"But we won't go fast, because my pack, with all this venison in it, is by +no means light."</p> + +<p>"It is no heavier than mine, Dagaeoga, but, as you say, we will not hasten, +lest we pass the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf in the forest and not +know it. But I think we are safe in going toward Oneadatote, as Rogers and +his rangers usually operate in the region of George and Champlain."</p> + +<p>They traveled two days and two nights and came once more among the high +ridges and peaks. They saw many Indian trails and always they watched for +another. On the third day Tayoga discovered traces in moss and he said with +great satisfaction to his comrade:</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga, we, too, be wise in our time. The print here speaks to me +like the print on the page of a book. It says that the Great Bear has +passed this way."</p> + +<p>"I can tell that the traces were made by the feet of a white man," said +Robert, "but how do you know they are Dave's?"</p> + +<p>"I have noticed that the Great Bear's feet are more slender than the +average. Also he bears less upon the heel. He poises himself more upon the +toe, like the great swordsman we saw him to be that time in Quebec."</p> + +<p>"The distinctions are too fine for me, Tayoga, but I don't question your +own powers of observation. I accept your statement with gratitude and joy, +too, because now we know that Dave is alive, and somewhere in the great +northern forest of the Province of New York. I knew he could not be dead, +but it's a relief anyhow to have the proof. But as I see no other traces, +how is it, do you think, that he happens to be alone?"</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear may have been making a little scout by himself. I still +think that he is with Rogers and the rangers, and when we follow his trail +we are likely to find soon that he has rejoined them."</p> + +<p>The traces led north and east until they came to rocky ground, where they +were lost, and Tayoga assumed from the fact that they were several days +old, otherwise he could have made them out even in the more difficult +region. But when the path, despite all his searching, vanished in the air, +he began to look higher than the earth. Soon he smiled and said:</p> + +<p>"Ah, the Great Bear is as wise as the fox and the serpent combined. He +knows that a little chance may lead to great results, and so he neglects +none of the little chances."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you," said Robert, puzzled.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga bent over a bush and showed where a twig had been cut off.</p> + +<p>"See the wound made by his knife," he said, "and look! here is another on a +bush farther on. Both wounds are partly healed, showing that the cut of the +knife was made several days ago. It occurred to the Great Bear that we +might strike his trail some time or other, and when he came to the stony +uplift upon which his moccasins would leave no sign, he made traces +elsewhere. He knew the chance of our ever seeing them was slight, and he +may have made thousands of other traces that we never will see, but the +possibility that we would see some one of the many became a probability."</p> + +<p>"As you present it, it seems simple, Tayoga, but what an infinity of pains +he must have taken!"</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is that kind of a man."</p> + +<p>The hard, rocky ground extended several miles and their progress over it +was, of necessity, very slow, as Tayoga was compelled to look with extreme +care for the signs the hunter might have left. He found the cut twigs five +times and twice footprints where softer soil existed between the rocks, +making the proofs conclusive to both, and when they emerged into a normal +region beyond they picked up his defined and clear trail once more.</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad to see the Great Bear," said the Onondaga, "and I think he +will be as pleased to know certainly that we are alive as we are to be +assured that he is."</p> + +<p>"He'd never desert us, and if you hadn't come to the Indian village I think +he'd have done so later on."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a man such as few men are. Now, his trail leads on, +straight and bold. He took no trouble to hide it, which proves that he had +friends in this region, and was not afraid to be followed. Here he sat on a +fallen log and rested a while."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"See the prints in front of the log. They were made by the heels of his +moccasins only. He tilted his feet up until they rested merely on the +heels. The Great Bear could not have been in that attitude while standing. +Nay, there is more. The Great Bear sat down here not to rest but to think."</p> + +<p>"It's just supposition with you, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"It is not supposition at all, Dagaeoga, it is certainty. Look, several +little pieces of the bark on the dead log where the Great Bear sat, are +picked off. Here are the places from which they were taken, and here are +the fragments themselves lying on the ground. The Great Bear must have been +thinking very hard and he must have been in great doubt to have had uneasy +hands, because, as you and I know, Dagaeoga, his mind and nerves are of the +calmest."</p> + +<p>"What, then, do you think was on his mind?"</p> + +<p>"He was undecided whether to go on towards Oneadatote or to turn back and +seek us anew. Here are three or four traces, a short and detached trail +leading in the direction from which we have come. Then the traces suddenly +turn. He sat down again and thought it over a second time."</p> + +<p>"You can't possibly know that he resumed his seat on the log!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I can, Dagaeoga. I wish all that we had to see was as easy, +because here is the second place on the log where he picked at the bark. +Mighty as the Great Bear is he cannot sit in two places at once. Not +Tododaho himself could do that."</p> + +<p>"It's conclusive, and I find here at the end of the log his trail, leading +on toward the east."</p> + +<p>"And he went fast, because the distance between his footprints lengthens. +But he did not do so long. He became very slow suddenly. The space between +the footprints shortens all at once. He turned aside, too, from his course, +and crept through the bushes toward the south."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that he crept?"</p> + +<p>"Because for many steps he rested his weight wholly on his toes. The traces +show it very clearly. The Great Bear was stalking something, and it was not +a foe."</p> + +<p>"That, at least, is supposition, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Not supposition, Dagaeoga, and while not absolute certainty it is a great +probability. The toeprints lead straight toward the tiny little lake that +you see shining through the foliage. It was game and not a foe that the +Great Bear was seeking. He wished to shoot a wild fowl. Look, the edge of +the lake here is low, and the tender water grasses grow to a distance of +several yards from the shore. It is just the place where wild ducks or wild +geese would be found, and the Great Bear secured the one he wanted. If you +will look closely, Dagaeoga, you will see the faint trace of blood on the +grass. Blood lasts a long time. Manitou has willed that it should be so, +because it is the life fluid of his creatures. It was a wild goose that the +Great Bear shot."</p> + +<p>"And why not a wild duck?"</p> + +<p>"Because here are two of the feathers, and even Dagaeoga knows they are +the feathers of a goose and not of a duck. It was, too, the fattest goose +in the flock."</p> + +<p>"Which you have no possible way of knowing, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"But I do, Dagaeoga. It was the fattest goose of the flock, because the +fattest goose of the flock was the one that so wise and skillful a hunter +as the Great Bear would, as a matter of course, select and kill. Learn, O, +Dagaeoga, to trail with your mind as well as with your eye, and ear. The +day may come when the white man will equal the red man in intellect, but it +is yet far off. The Great Bear was very, very hungry, and we shall soon +reach the place where he cleaned and cooked his goose."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Tayoga! You may draw good conclusions from what you see, but +there are no prophets nowadays. You don't know anything about the state of +Dave's appetite, when he shot that goose, and you can't predict with +certainty that we'll soon come to the place where he made it ready for the +eating."</p> + +<p>"I cannot, Dagaeoga! Why, I am doing it this very instant. Mind! Mind! Did +I not tell you to use your mind? O, Dagaeoga, when will you learn the +simpler things of life? The Great Bear would not have risked a shot at a +wild goose in enemy country, if he had not been very hungry. Otherwise he +would have waited until he rejoined the rangers to obtain food. And, having +risked his shot, and having obtained his goose, which was the fattest in +the flock, he became hungrier than ever. And having risked so much he was +willing to risk more in order to complete the task he had undertaken, +without which the other risks that he had run would have been all in vain."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, I can almost believe that you have your dictionary with you in +your knapsack."</p> + +<p>"Not in my knapsack, Dagaeoga, but in my head, where yours also ought to +be. Ah, here is where the Great Bear began to make preparations to cook his +goose! His trail wanders back and forth. He was looking for fallen wood to +build the fire. And there, in the little sink between the hills, was where +he built it. Even you, Dagaeoga, can see the ashes and burnt ends of +sticks. The Great Bear must have been as hungry as a wolf to have eaten a +whole goose, and the fattest goose of the flock, too. How do I know he ate +it all? Look in the grass and leaves and you will find enough bones to make +the complete frame of a goose, and every bone is picked clean. Wild animals +might have gleaned on them, you say? No. Here is the trail of a wolf that +came to the dip after the Great Bear had gone, drawn by the savory odors, +but he turned back. He never really entered the dip. Why? When he stood at +the edge his acute and delicate senses told him no meat was left on the +bones, and a wolf neither makes idle exertion, nor takes foolish risk. He +went back at once. And if the wolf had not come, there is another reason +why I knew the Great Bear ate all the goose. He would not have thrown away +any of the bones with flesh still on them. He is too wise a man to waste. +He would have taken with him what was left of the goose. Having finished +his most excellent dinner, the Great Bear looked for a brook."</p> + +<p>"Why a brook?"</p> + +<p>"Because he was thirsty. Everyone is thirsty after a heavy meal. He turned +to the right, as the ground slopes down in that direction. Even you, +Dagaeoga, know that one is more likely to find a brook in a valley than on +a hilltop. Here is the brook, a fine, clear little stream with a sandy +bottom, and here is where the Great Bear knelt and drank of the cool water. +The prints of his strong knees show like carving on a wall. Finding that he +was still thirsty he came back for another drink, because the second prints +are a little distance from the first.</p> + +<p>"Then, after rejoicing over the tender goose and his renewed strength, he +suddenly became very cautious. The danger from the warriors, which he had +forgotten or overlooked in his hunger, returned in acute form to his mind. +He came to the brook a third time, but not to drink. He intended to wade in +the stream that he might hide his trail, which, as you well know, Dagaeoga, +is the oldest and best of all forest devices for such purposes. How many +millions of times must the people of the wilderness have used it!</p> + +<p>"Now the Great Bear had two ways to go in the water, up the stream or down +the stream, and you and I, Dagaeoga, think he went down the stream, because +the current leads on the whole eastward, which was the way in which he +wished to go. At least, we will choose that direction and I will take one +side of the bank and you the other."</p> + +<p>They followed the brook more than a mile with questing eyes, and Tayoga +detected the point at which Willet had emerged, plunging anew into the +forest.</p> + +<p>"Warriors, if they had picked up his trail, could have followed the brook +as we did," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Tayoga, "but the object of the Great Bear was not so much +to hide his flight as to gain time. While we went slowly, looking for the +emergence of his trail, he went fast. Now I think he meant to spend the +night in the woods alone. The rangers must still have been far away. If +they had been near he would not have felt the need of throwing off possible +pursuit."</p> + +<p>They followed the dim traces several hours, and then Tayoga announced with +certainty that the hunter had slept alone in the forest, wrapped in his +blanket.</p> + +<p>"He crept into this dense clump of bushes," he said, "and lay within their +heart, sheltered and hidden by them. You, Dagaeoga, can see where his +weight has pressed them down. Why, here is the outline of a human body +almost as clear and distinct as if it were drawn with black ink upon white +paper! And the Great Bear slept well, too. The bushes are not broken or +shoved aside except in the space merely wide enough to contain his frame. +Perhaps the goose was so very tender and his nerves and tissues had craved +it so much that they were supremely happy when he gave it to them. That is +why they rested so well.</p> + +<p>"In the morning the Great Bear resumed his journey toward the east. He had +no breakfast and doubtless he wished for another goose, but he was +refreshed and he was very strong. The traces are fainter than they were, +because the Great Bear was so vigorous that his feet almost spurned the +earth."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think, Tayoga, that he'll soon turn aside again to hunt? So +strong a man as Dave won't go long without food, especially when the forest +is full of it. We've noticed everywhere that the war has caused the game to +increase greatly in numbers."</p> + +<p>"It will depend upon the position of the force to which the Great Bear +belongs. If it is near he will not seek game, waiting for food until he +rejoins the rangers, but if they are distant he will look for a deer or +another goose, or maybe a duck. But by following we will see what he did. +It cannot be hidden from us. The forest has few secrets from those who are +born in it. Ah, what is this? The Great Bear hid in a bush, and he leaped +suddenly! Behold the distance between the footprints! He saw something that +alarmed him. It may have been a war party passing, and of which he suddenly +caught sight. If so we can soon tell."</p> + +<p>A hundred yards beyond the clump of bushes they found a broad trail, +indicating that at least twenty warriors had gone by, their line of march +leading toward the southeast.</p> + +<p>"They were in no hurry," said the Onondaga, "as they had no fear of +enemies. Their steps are irregular, showing that sometimes they stopped and +talked. Doubtless they meant to join Montcalm, but as they can travel much +faster than an army they were taking their time about it. We will now +return to the bushes in which the Great Bear lay hidden while he watched. +The traces of his footsteps in the heart of the clump are much deeper than +usual, which proves that he stood there quite a while. It is also another +proof that the warriors stopped and talked when they were near him, else he +would not have remained in the clump so long. It is likely, too, that the +Great Bear followed them when they resumed their journey. Yes, here is his +trail leading from the bushes. But it is faint, the Great Bear was stepping +lightly and here is where it merges with the trail of the warriors. He +could not have been more than three or four hundred yards behind them. The +Great Bear was very bold, or else they were very careless. He will not +follow them long, as he merely wishes to get a general idea of their +course, it being his main object to rejoin the rangers."</p> + +<p>"And at this point he turned away from their trail," said Robert, after +they had followed it about a mile. "He is now going due east, and his +traces lead on so straight that he must have known exactly where he +intended to go."</p> + +<p>"Stated with much correctness," said Tayoga in his precise school English. +"Dagaeoga is taking to heart my assertion that the mind is intended for +human use, and he is beginning to think a little. But we shall have to stop +soon for a while, because the night comes. We, too, will sleep in the heart +of the bushes as the Great Bear did."</p> + +<p>"And glad am I to stop," said Robert. "My burden of buffalo robe and deer +and arms and ammunition is beginning to weigh on me. A buffalo robe doesn't +seem of much use on a warm, summer day, but it is such a fine one and you +took so much trouble to get it for me, Tayoga, that I haven't had the heart +to abandon it."</p> + +<p>"It is well that you have brought it, in spite of its weight," said the +Onondaga, "as the night, at this height, is sure to be cold, and the robe +will envelop you in its warmth. See, the dark comes fast."</p> + +<p>The sun sank behind the forest, and the twilight advanced, the deeper dusk +following in its trail, a cold wind began to blow out of the north, and +Robert, as Tayoga had predicted, was thankful now that he had retained the +buffalo robe, despite its weight. He wrapped it around his body and sat on +a blanket in a thicket. Tayoga, by his side, used his two blankets in a +similar manner, and they ate of the deer which they had had the forethought +to cook, and make ready for all times.</p> + +<p>The dusk deepened into the thick dark, and the night grew colder, but they +were warm and at ease. Robert was full of courage and hope. The elements +and all things had served them so much that he was quite sure they would +succeed in everything they undertook. By and by, he stretched himself on +the blanket, and clothed from head to foot in the great robe he slept the +deep sleep of one who had toiled hard and well. An hour later Tayoga also +slept, but in another hour he awoke and sat up, listening with all the +marvelous powers of hearing that nature and cultivation had given him.</p> + +<p>Something was stirring in the thicket, not any of the wild animals, big or +little, but a human being, and Tayoga knew the chances were a hundred to +one that it was a hostile human being. He put his ear to the earth and the +sound came more clearly. Now his wonderful gifts of intuition and forest +reasoning told him what it was. Slowly he rose again, cleared himself of +the blankets, and put his rifle upon them. Then, loosening the pistol in +his belt, but drawing his long hunting knife, he crept from the thicket.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, despite his thorough white education and his constant association +with white comrades, was always an Indian first. Now, as he stole from the +thicket in the dark, knife in hand, he was the very quintessence of a great +warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great +League of the Hodenosaunee. He was what his ancestors had been for +unnumbered generations, a primeval son of the wilderness, seeking the life +of the enemy who came seeking his.</p> + +<p>He kept to his hands and knees, and made no sound as he advanced, but at +intervals he dropped his ear to the ground, and heard the faint rustling +that was drawing nearer. He decided that it was a single warrior who by +some chance had struck their trail in the dusk, and who, with minute pains +and with slowness but certainty, was following it.</p> + +<p>His course took him about thirty yards among the bushes and then through +high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also +helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving +slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth +and went on, sure that bold means would be best.</p> + +<p>The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he +was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga +snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a +Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an +enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so +close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside, +and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a +sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors +swelling in fierce triumph.</p> + +<p>But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which +was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry +that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much +farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the +forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly +back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a +curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened.</p> + +<p>Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not +stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any +sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was +none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and +clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the +bushes.</p> + +<p>"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said.</p> + +<p>"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night."</p> + +<p>"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more."</p> + +<p>"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a +brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without +it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't +wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or +duck this morning."</p> + +<p>"But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the +goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk."</p> + +<p>"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be +accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll +keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads +of whom they will not pass."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning."</p> + +<p>"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of +the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low +ground over there."</p> + +<p>He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to +the left—the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the +right—and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he +found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they +left the lair in the bushes.</p> + +<p>"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a +floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the +night."</p> + +<p>"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another +night comes you will need it as before."</p> + +<p>They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, +expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course.</p> + +<p>"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and +the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not +last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the +little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region."</p> + +<p>In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a +duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, +and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there +some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that +they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping +that they would soon overtake him.</p> + +<p>But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night +spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far +ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they +approached the shores of Champlain.</p> + +<p>"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert.</p> + +<p>"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>READING THE SIGNS</h3> + +<p>On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and +Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the +evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake +Champlain.</p> + +<p>"It seems likely to me," said the Onondaga, "that he left the rangers to +seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward. Having learned in +some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers +wherever they may go."</p> + +<p>"And we will follow him wherever he goes," said Robert.</p> + +<p>An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the +trail. Another man coming from the south had joined Willet. The traces were +quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of +the footsteps that the stranger was white.</p> + +<p>"A wandering hunter or trapper? A chance meeting?" said Robert.</p> + +<p>Tayoga shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to +join Rogers?"</p> + +<p>"Wrong in both cases," he said. "I know who joined the Great Bear, as well +as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made. It was not a +wandering hunter and it was not a ranger. You will notice, Dagaeoga, that +these traces are uncommonly large. They are not slender like the footprints +of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long. Why, I should know anywhere +in the world what feet made them. Think, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>"I don't seem to recall."</p> + +<p>"Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on +the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all +these also. A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer +them. You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both +in battle. Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>"Black Rifle!"</p> + +<p>"None other. It is far north for him, but he has come, and he and the Great +Bear were glad to see each other. Here they stood and shook hands."</p> + +<p>"There is not a possible sign to indicate such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Only the certain rules of logic. Once again I bid you use your mind. We +see with it oftener than with the eye. White men, when they are good +friends and meet after a long absence, always shake hands. So my mind tells +me with absolute certainty that the Great Bear and Black Rifle did so. Then +they talked together a while. Now the eye tells me, because here are +footsteps in a little group that says so, and then they walked on, +fearless of attack. It is an easy trail to follow."</p> + +<p>He announced in a half hour that they were about to enter an old camp of +the two men.</p> + +<p>"Any child of the Hodenosaunee could tell that it is so," he said, "because +their trails now separate. Black Rifle turns off to the right, and the +Great Bear goes to the left. We will follow Black Rifle first. He wandered +about apparently in aimless fashion, but he had a purpose nevertheless. He +was looking for firewood. We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, +because his object was surely the same. They were so confident of their +united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the +coldness of the night. Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary +for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both. The fact that the +Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it.</p> + +<p>"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on +the crest of which the bushes grow so thick. Once more it is mind and not +eye that tells me so, Dagaeoga. They would build a fire near because they +had begun to look for firewood, which is always plentiful in the forest, +and they would surely choose the dip which lies beyond the hill, because +the circling ridge with its frieze of bushes would hide the flames. +Although sure of their strength they did not neglect caution."</p> + +<p>They passed over the hill, and found the dead embers of the fire.</p> + +<p>"After they had built it Black Rifle sat on that side and the Great Bear +on this," said Tayoga, "and while they were getting it ready the Great Bear +concluded to add something on his own account to the supper."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Tayoga? Is this mind or eye?"</p> + +<p>"A combination of the two. The Great Bear is a wonderful marksman, as we +know, and while sitting on the log that he had drawn up before the fire, he +shot his game out of the tall oak on our right."</p> + +<p>"This is neither eye nor mind, Tayoga, it is just fancy."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, it is mostly eye, though helped by mind. My conclusion that +he was sitting, when he pulled the trigger is mind chiefly. He would not +have drawn up the log unless he had been ready to sit down, and everything +was complete for the supper. The Great Bear never rests until his work is +done, and he is so marvelous with the rifle that it was not necessary for +him to rise when he fired. Wilderness life demands so much of the body that +the Great Bear never makes needless exertion. There mind works, Dagaeoga, +but the rest is all eye. The squirrel was on the curved bough of the oak, +the one that projects toward the north."</p> + +<p>"You assume a good deal to say that it was a squirrel and surely mind not +eye would select the particular bough on which he sat."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, eye served the whole purpose. All the other branches are +almost smothered in leaves, but the curved one is nearly bare. It is only +there that the casual glance of the Great Bear, who was not at that time +seeking game, would have caught sight of the squirrel. Also, he must have +been there, otherwise his body could not have fallen directly beneath it, +when the bullet went through his head."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me how your eye knows his body fell from the bough."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Dagaeoga! Your eye was given to you for use as mine was given to me, +then you should use it; in the forest you are lost unless you do. It was my +eye that saw the unmistakable sign, the sign from which all the rest +followed. Look closely and you will detect a little spot of red on the +grass just beneath the bare bough. It was blood from the squirrel."</p> + +<p>"You cannot be sure that it was a squirrel. It might have been a pigeon or +some other bird."</p> + +<p>"That, O, Dagaeoga, would be the easiest of all, even for you, if you could +only use your eyes, as I bid you. Almost at your feet lies a slender bone +that cannot be anything but the backbone of a squirrel. Beyond it are two +other bones, which came from the same body. We know as certainly that it +was a squirrel as we know that the Great Bear ate first a wild goose, and +then a wild duck. But it is a good camp that those two great men made, and, +as the night is coming, we will occupy it."</p> + +<p>They relighted the abandoned fire, warmed their food and ate, and Robert +was once more devoutly glad that he had kept the heavy buffalo robe. Deep +fog came over the mountain soon after dark, and, after a while, a fine +cold, and penetrating rain was shed from the heart of it. They kept the +fire burning and wrapped, Tayoga in his blankets, and, Robert in the robe, +crouched before it. Then they drew the logs that the Great Bear and Black +Rifle had left, in such position that they could lean their backs against +them, and slept, though not the two at the same time. They agreed that it +was wise to keep watch and Robert was sentinel first.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, supported by the log, slept soundly, the flames illuminating his +bronze face and showing the very highest type of the Indian. Robert sat +opposite, his rifle across his knees, but covered by his blanket to protect +it from the fine rain, which was not only cold but insidious, trying to +insert itself beneath his clothing and chill his body. But he kept himself +covered so well that none reached him, and the very wildness of his +surroundings increased his sense of intense physical comfort.</p> + +<p>He did not stir, except now and then to put a fresh chunk of wood on the +fire, and the red blaze between Tayoga and himself was for a time the +center of the world. The cold, white fog was rolling up everywhere thick +and impenetrable, and the fine rain, like a heavy dew that was distilled +from it, fell incessantly. Robert knew that it was moving up the valleys +and clothing all the peaks and ridges. He knew, too, that it would hide +them from their enemies and his sense of comfort grew with the knowledge. +But his conviction that they were safe did not make him relax caution, and, +since eye was useless in the fog, he made extreme call upon ear.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that the fog was a splendid conductor of sound. It brought +him the rustling of the foliage, the moaning of the light wind through the +ravines, and, at last, another sound, sharp, distinct, a discordant note in +the natural noises of the wilderness, which were always uniform and +harmonious. He heard it a second time, to his right, down the hill, and he +was quite sure that it indicated the presence of man, man who in reality +was near, but whom the fog took far away. The vapors, however, would lift, +then man might come close, and he felt that it was his part to discover who +and what he was.</p> + +<p>Still wrapped in the buffalo robe, he rose and took a few steps from the +fire. Tayoga did not stir, and he was proud that his tread had been without +noise. Beyond the rim of firelight, he paused and listening again heard the +clank twice, not very loud but coming sharp and definite as before through +the vapory air. He parted the bushes very carefully and went down the side +of a ravine, the wet boughs and twigs making no noise as they closed up +after his passage.</p> + +<p>But his progress was very slow, purposely so, as he knew that any mistake +or accident might be fatal, and he intended that no fault of his should +precipitate such a crisis. Once or twice he thought of going back, deeming +his a foolish quest, lost in a wilderness of bushes and blinding fog, but +the sharp, clear clank stirred his purpose anew, and he went on down the +slope, until he saw a red glow in the heart of the fog. Then he sank down +among the bushes and listened with intentness. Presently the faint hum of +voices came to his ear, and he was quite sure that many men were not far +away.</p> + +<p>He resumed his slow advance, but now he was glad the bushes were soaked +with water, as they did not crackle or snap with the passage of his body, +and the luminous glow in front of him broadened and deepened steadily. Near +the bottom of a deep valley he stopped and from his covert saw where great +fires had driven the fog away. Around the fires were many warriors, some of +them sleeping in their blankets, while others were eating prodigiously, +after their manner. Rifles and muskets were stacked in French fashion and +the clank, clank that Robert had heard had been made by the warriors as +they put up their weapons.</p> + +<p>Many were talking freely and seemed to rejoice in the food and fires. It +was Robert's surmise that they had arrived but recently and were weary. +Their numbers were large, they certainly could not be less than four or +five hundred, and his experience was great enough now to tell him that half +of them, at least, were Canadian Indians. All were in war paint, and they +had an abundance of arms.</p> + +<p>Robert's eager eye sought Tandakora, but did not find him. He had no doubt, +however, that this great body of warriors was moving against Rogers and his +rangers, and that it would soon be joined by the Ojibway chief. Tandakora, +anxious for revenge upon the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf, would be +willing to leave Montcalm for a while if he thought that by doing so he +could achieve his purpose. His gaze wandered from the warriors to the +stacked rifles and muskets, and he saw that many of them were of English +or American make, undoubtedly spoil taken at the capture of Oswego. His +heart swelled with anger that the border should have its own weapons turned +against it by the foe.</p> + +<p>It did not take him long to see enough. It was a powerful force, equipped +to strike, and now he was more anxious than ever to overtake Willet. The +fog was still thick and wet, distilling the fine rain, but he had forgotten +discomfort, and, turning back on his path, he sought the dip in which he +had left Tayoga sleeping. He felt a certain pride that it had been his +fortune to discover the band, and, as he had marked carefully the way by +which he had come, it was not a difficult task to retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was still sleeping, his back against the log, but he awoke +instantly when Robert touched him gently on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he whispered. "You have seen something! Your face +tells me so!"</p> + +<p>"My face tells you the truth," replied Robert. "There is a valley only a +few hundred yards from us, and, in it, are about four hundred warriors, +armed for battle. All the signs indicate that they are going eastward in +search of our friends."</p> + +<p>"You have done well, Dagaeoga. You have used both eye and mind. Was +Tandakora there?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I'm convinced he soon will be."</p> + +<p>"It appears likely. They think, perhaps, they are strong enough to +annihilate the rangers."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they are, unless the rangers are warned. We ought to move at once."</p> + +<p>"But the fog is too thick. We could not tell which way we were going. We +must not lose the trail of the Great Bear and Black Rifle, and, if the fog +lifts, we can regain it in the morning, going ahead of the war band."</p> + +<p>"And then the warriors may pursue us."</p> + +<p>"What does it matter, if we keep well ahead of them and overtake the Great +Bear and Black Rifle, who are surely going toward the rangers? We will put +out the fire, Dagaeoga, and stay here. The fog protects us. Now, you sleep +and I will watch."</p> + +<p>His calmness was reassuring, and it was true that the fog was an almost +certain protection, while it lasted. They smothered the fire carefully, and +then, Robert was sufficient master of his nerves, to go to sleep, wrapped +in the invaluable buffalo robe. The Onondaga kept vigilant watch. His own +ear, too, heard the occasional sound made by human beings in the valley +below, but he did not stir from his place. He had absolute confidence in +Robert's report, and he would not take any unnecessary risk.</p> + +<p>An hour or two before dawn a wind began to rise, and Tayoga knew by feeling +rather than sight that the fog was beginning to thin. If the wind held, it +would all blow away by sunrise, and the rain with it. He awakened Robert at +once.</p> + +<p>"I think we would better move now," he said. "We shall soon be able to see +our way, and a good start ahead of the war band is important."</p> + +<p>They made a northward curve, passing around the valley, in which the camp +of the warriors lay, and, when the sun showed its first luminous edge over +the horizon, they were several miles ahead. The steady wind had carried all +the fog and rain to the southward, but the forest was still wet and +dripping.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Tayoga, "we must pick up anew the trail of the Great Bear +and Black Rifle. We are sure they were continuing east, and by ranging back +and forth from north to south and from south to north we can find it."</p> + +<p>It was a full two hours before they discovered it, leading up a narrow +gorge, and Robert grew anxious lest the war band was already on their own +traces, which the warriors were sure to see in time. So they hastened their +own pursuit and very soon came to a thicket in which the two redoubtable +scouts had passed the night. The trail leading from it was comparatively +fresh and Tayoga was hopeful that they might overtake them before the next +sunset.</p> + +<p>"They do not hurry," he said. "The Great Bear has been telling Black Rifle +of us, and now and then it was their thought to go back into the west to +make another hunt for us. My certainty about it is based on nothing in the +trail. It is just mind once more. It is exactly the idea that a valiant and +patient man like the Great Bear would have, and it would appeal too, to the +soul of such a great warrior as Black Rifle. But after thinking well upon +it, they have decided that the search would be vain for the present, and +once more they go on, though the wish to find us puts weights on their +feet."</p> + +<p>Before noon they came to a place where Black Rifle shot a deer. The +useless portions of the body that the two had left behind spoke a language +none could fail to understand, and they were sure it was Black Rifle who +had fired the shot, because his broader footprints led to the place where +the body had fallen.</p> + +<p>"It proves," said Tayoga, "that the rangers are still well ahead, else two +such wise men as the Great Bear and Black Rifle would not take the trouble +to kill a deer here and carry so much weight with them. It is likely that +the Mountain Wolf and his men are on the shores of Oneadatote itself."</p> + +<p>All that afternoon the trail went upward higher and higher among the ranges +and peaks, but the infallible eye of Tayoga never lost it for a moment.</p> + +<p>"We will not overtake them today, as I had hoped," he said, "but we shall +certainly do so tomorrow before noon."</p> + +<p>"And the coming night is going to offer a striking contrast to the one just +passed," said Robert. "It will be crystal clear."</p> + +<p>"So it will, Dagaeoga, and we will seek a camp among the rocks. It is best +to leave no traces for the warriors."</p> + +<p>They traveled a long distance on the stony uplift before they stopped for +the night, and they did not build any fire, dividing the time into two +watches, each kept with great vigilance. But the pursuit which they were so +sure was now on did not overtake them, and early in the morning they were +once more on the traces of the two hunters.</p> + +<p>"It is now sure we shall reach them before noon," said Tayoga, "but in +what manner we shall first see them I do not know. The trail has become +wonderfully fresh. Ah, they turned suddenly from their course here, and +soon they came back to it, at a point not more than ten feet away. We need +not follow them on their loop to see where they went. We know without +going. They climbed the steep little peak we see on the right, from the +crest of which they had a splendid view over an immense stretch of country +behind us. They looked in that direction because that was the point from +which pursuit or danger would come. The band behind us built a fire, and +the Great Bear and Black Rifle saw its smoke. They saw the smoke because +they could see nothing else so far behind them. After a good look, they +went on at their leisure. They had no fear. It was easy for such as they to +leave the band well in the rear, if they wished."</p> + +<p>"If they haven't changed greatly since we last saw 'em," said Robert, +"they'll go all the more slowly because of the pursuit, and we may catch +'em in a couple of hours. Won't Dave be surprised when he sees us?"</p> + +<p>"It will be a pleasant surprise for him. Here, they have stopped again, and +one of them climbed the tall elm for another view, while the other stood +guard by the trunk. I think, Dagaeoga, that the Great Bear and Black Rifle +were beginning to think less of flight than of battle."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean that knowing the presence of the band behind us they +intended to meet it?"</p> + +<p>"Not to stop it, of course, but spirits such as theirs might have a desire +to harm it a little, and impede its advance. In any event, Dagaeoga, we +shall soon see. Here is where the climber came down, and then the two went +on, walking slowly. They walked slowly, because the traces indicate that +they turned back often, and looked toward the point at which they had seen +the smoke rising. My mind tells me that the Great Bear thought it better to +continue straight ahead, but that Black Rifle was anxious to linger, and +get a few shots at the enemy. It is so, because the Great Bear, as we know, +is naturally cautious and would wish to do what is of the most service in +the campaign, while it is always the desire of Black Rifle to injure the +enemy as much as he can."</p> + +<p>"Your reasoning seems conclusive to me."</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you, Dagaeoga, that you had the beginnings of a mind? Use +it sedulously, and it will grow yet more."</p> + +<p>"And the time may come when I can talk out of a dictionary as you do, +Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Which merely proves, Dagaeoga, that those who learn a language always talk +it better than those who are born to it. Ah, they have turned once more, +and the trail leads again to the crest of a hill, where they will take +another long look backward. It seems that the wishes of Black Rifle are +about to prevail. Now we are at the top of the hill, and they stood here +several minutes talking and moving about, as the traces show very clearly. +But look, Dagaeoga, they saw something very much closer at hand than smoke. +Their talk was interrupted with great suddenness, and they took to ambush. +They crouched among these bushes, and you and I know they were a very +dangerous pair with their rifles ready. Still, Dagaeoga, instead of their +taking the battle to the warriors the battle was brought to them."</p> + +<p>"You think, then, an encounter occurred?"</p> + +<p>"I know it. They did not stay crouched here until the enemy went away, but +moved off down the hill, their course on the whole leading away from the +lake. The enemy was before them, because they kept among the bushes, always +in the densest part of them. Here they knelt. The bent grass stems indicate +the pressure of knees. The warriors must have been very close.</p> + +<p>"Now the trail divides. Look, Dagaeoga! Black Rifle went to the right and +the Great Bear to the left. They formed a plan to flank the enemy and to +assail him from two sides. I should judge then that the warriors did not +number more than five or six. We will follow the Great Bear, who made the +slender traces, and if necessary we will come back and follow also those of +Black Rifle. But I think we can read the full account of the contest which +most certainly occurred from the evidence that the Great Bear left."</p> + +<p>"You feel quite sure then that there was fighting?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It is not an opinion formed from the signs yet seen, but it is drawn +from the characters of the Great Bear and Black Rifle. They would not have +taken so much care unless there was the certainty of conflict. Here the +Great Bear knelt again, and took a long look at his enemy or at least at +the place where his enemy was lying. They were coming to close quarters or +he would not have knelt and waited. Perhaps he held his fire because Black +Rifle was making the wider circuit, and they meant to use their rifles at +the same time."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was on his own knees now, examining the faint trail intently, +his eyes alight with interest.</p> + +<p>"The event will not be delayed long," he said, "because the Great Bear +stopped continually, seeking an opportunity for a shot. Here he pulled the +trigger."</p> + +<p>He picked up a minute piece of the burned wadding of the muzzle-loading +rifle.</p> + +<p>"The warrior at whom he fired was bound to have been in the thicket beyond +the open space," he said, "and it was there that he fell. He fell because +at such a critical time the Great Bear would not have fired unless he was +sure of his aim. We will look into the thicket"</p> + +<p>They found several spots of blood among the bushes and at another point +about twenty feet away they saw more.</p> + +<p>"Here is where the warrior fell before Black Rifle's bullet," said Tayoga. +"He and the Great Bear must have fired almost at the same time. Undoubtedly +the warriors retreated at once, carrying their dead with them. Let us see +if they did not unite, and leave the thicket at the farthest point from our +two friends."</p> + +<p>The trail was very clear at the place the Onondaga had indicated, and also +many more red spots were there leading away toward the east.</p> + +<p>"We will not follow them." said Tayoga, "because they do not interest us +any more. They have retreated and they do not longer enter into your +campaign and mine, Dagaeoga. We will go back and see where the left wing of +our army, that was the Great Bear, reunited with the right wing, that was +Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>They found the point of junction not far away, and then the deliberate +trail led once more toward Champlain, the two pursuing it several hours in +silence and both noticing that it was rapidly growing fresher. At length +Tayoga stopped on the crest of a ridge and said:</p> + +<p>"We no longer need to seek their trail, Dagaeoga, because I will now talk +with the Great Bear and Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Tayoga. I am anxious to hear what you will say and how you will +say it."</p> + +<p>A bird sang at Robert's side. It was Tayoga trilling forth a melody, +wonderfully clear and penetrating, a melody that carried far up the still +valley beyond.</p> + +<p>"You will remember, Dagaeoga," he said, "that we have often used this call +with the Great Bear. The reply will soon come."</p> + +<p>The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard. He owed much to Willet. +Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were +about to meet after a long parting. He never doubted for a moment that the +Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black +Rifle in the valley below them.</p> + +<p>Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled +the valley. When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as +before. The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of +the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them. The four did not say much, +but in every case the grasp of the hand was strong and long.</p> + +<p>"I went west in search of you, Robert," said the hunter, "but I was +compelled to come back, because of the great events that are forward here. +I felt, however, that Tayoga was there looking for you and would do all any +number of human beings could do."</p> + +<p>"He found me and rescued me," said Robert, "and what of yourself, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"I'm attached, for the present, to the rangers under Rogers. He's on the +shores of Champlain, and he's trying to hold back a big Indian army that +means to march south and join Montcalm for an attack on Fort William Henry +or Fort Edward."</p> + +<p>"And there's a great Indian war band behind you, too, Dave."</p> + +<p>"We know it. We saw their smoke. We also had an encounter with some +scouting warriors."</p> + +<p>"We know that, too, Dave. You ambushed 'em and divided your force, one of +you going to the right and the other to the left. Two of their warriors +fell before your bullets, and then they fled, carrying their slain with +them."</p> + +<p>"Correct to every detail. I suppose Tayoga read the signs."</p> + +<p>"He did, and he also told me when he rescued me that you had carried the +text of the letter we took from Garay to Colonel Johnson in time, and that +the force of St. Luc was turned back."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the preparations for defense made an attack by him hopeless, and +when his vanguard was defeated in the forest he gave up the plan."</p> + +<p>They did not stop long, as they knew the great war band behind them was +pressing forward, but they felt little fear of it, as they were able to +make high speed of their own, despite the weight of their packs, and for +several days and nights they traveled over peaks and ridges, stopping only +at short intervals for sleep. They had no sign from the band behind them, +but they knew it was always there, and that it would probably unite at the +lake with the force the rangers were facing.</p> + +<p>It was about noon of a gleaming summer day when Robert, from the crest of a +ridge, saw once more the vast sheet of water extending a hundred and +twenty-five miles north and south, that the Indians called Oneadatote and +the white men Champlain, and around which and upon which an adventurous +part of his own life had passed. His heart beat high, he felt now that the +stage was set again for great events, and that his comrades and he would, +as before, have a part in the war that was shaking the Old World as well as +the New.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon they met rangers and before night they were in the camp of +Rogers, which included about three hundred men, and which was pitched in a +strong position at the edge of the lake. The Mountain Wolf greeted them +with great warmth.</p> + +<p>"You're a redoubtable four," he said, "and I could wish that instead of +only four I was receiving four hundred like you."</p> + +<p>He showed intense anxiety, and soon confided his reasons to Willet.</p> + +<p>"You've brought me news," he said, "that a big war band is coming from the +west, and my scouts had told me already that a heavy force is to the +northward, and what is worst of all, the northern force is commanded by St. +Luc. It seems that he did not go south with Montcalm, but drew off an army +of both French and Indians for our destruction. He remembers his naval and +land defeat by us and naturally he wants revenge. He is helped, too, by the +complete command of the lake, that the French now hold. Since we've been +pressed southward we've lost Champlain."</p> + +<p>"And of course St. Luc is eager to strike," said Willet. "He can recover +his lost laurels and serve France at the same time. If we're swept away +here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada +upon the Province of New York."</p> + +<p>Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the +repose that he needed so badly. He had brought with him some remnants of +food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so +much danger from the Indian village. Now he put down the robe, heaved a +mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga:</p> + +<p>"I'm proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I've had enough. I'm +glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake +Champlain."</p> + +<p>"And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe."</p> + +<p>"So it is. I should be the last to deny it, but now that we're with the +rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition. To appreciate +what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them."</p> + +<p>The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the +present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they +commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach. They +rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the +wilderness.</p> + +<p>"It's almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this," said +Robert, swimming with strong strokes.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid," said the Onondaga, "but see that you do +not swim too far. Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio. +We had it, but we have lost it."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll get it back again," said Robert courageously. "Champlain is too +fine a lake to lose forever. Wait until I've had a big sleep. Then my brain +will be clear, and I'll tell how it ought to be done."</p> + +<p>The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<br> + +<h3>ST. LUC'S REVENGE</h3> + +<p>When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that +the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed. Rogers was in close +conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a +small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or +west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was +expected. Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know +it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, +and now including the western band, was very near. It was the burden of +their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom +one-third were French or Canadians.</p> + +<p>Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and +Robert joined him. The face of the young Onondaga was very grave.</p> + +<p>"You look for an early battle, I suppose," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dagaeoga," replied his comrade, "and it will be fought with the odds +heavily against us. I think the Mountain Wolf should not have awaited Sharp +Sword here, but who am I to give advice to a leader, so able and with so +much experience?"</p> + +<p>"But we beat St. Luc once in a battle by a lake!"</p> + +<p>"Then we had a fleet, and, for the time, at least, we won command of the +lake. Now the enemy is supreme on Oneadatote. If we have any canoes on its +hundred and twenty-five miles of length they are lone and scattered, and +they stay in hiding near its shores."</p> + +<p>"Why are you watching its waters now so intently, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"To see the sentinels of the foe, when they come down from the north. Sharp +Sword is too great a general not to use all of his advantages in battle. He +will advance by water as well as by land, but, first he will use his eyes, +before he permits his hand to strike. Do you see anything far up the lake, +Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Only the sunlight on the waters."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all. I believed, for a moment or two, that I saw a black dot +there, but it was only my fancy creating what I expected my sight to +behold. Let us look again all around the horizon, where it touches the +water, following it as we would a line. Ah, I think I see a dark speck, +just a black mote at this distance, and I am still unable to separate fancy +from fact, but it may be fact. What do you think, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"My thought has not taken shape yet, Tayoga, but if 'tis fancy then 'tis +singularly persistent. I see the black mote too, to the left, toward the +western shore of the lake, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, that is where it is. If we are both the victims of fancy +then our illusions are wonderfully alike. Think you that we would imagine +exactly the same thing at exactly the same place?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't! And as I live, Tayoga, the mote is growing larger! It takes +on the semblance of reality, and, although very far from us, it's my belief +that it's moving this way!"</p> + +<p>"Again my fancy is the same as yours and it is not possible that they +should continue exactly alike through all changes. That which may have been +fancy in the beginning has most certainly turned into fact, and the black +mote that we see upon the waters is in all probability a hostile canoe +coming to spy upon us."</p> + +<p>They watched the dark dot detach itself from the horizon and grow +continuously until their eyes told them, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that +it was a canoe containing two warriors. It was moving swiftly and presently +Rogers and Willet came to look at it. The two warriors brought their light +craft on steadily, but stopped well out of rifle shot, where they let their +paddles rest and gazed long at the shore.</p> + +<p>"It is like being without a right arm to have no force upon the lake," said +Rogers.</p> + +<p>"It cripples us sorely," said Willet. "Perhaps we'd better swallow our +pride, bitter though the medicine may be, and retreat at speed."</p> + +<p>"I can't do it," said Rogers. "I'm here to hold back St. Luc, if I can, and +moreover, 'tis too late. We'd be surrounded in the forest and probably +annihilated."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're right. We'll meet him where we stand, and when the +battle is over, whatever may be its fortunes, he'll know that he had a real +fight."</p> + +<p>They walked away from the lake, and began to arrange their forces to the +most advantage, but Robert and Tayoga remained on the cliff. They saw the +canoe go back toward the north, melt into the horizon line, and then +reappear, but with a whole brood of canoes. All of them advanced rapidly, +and they stretched into a line half way across the lake. Many were great +war canoes, containing eight or ten men apiece.</p> + +<p>"Now the attack by land is at hand," said Tayoga. "Sharp Sword is sure to +see that his two forces move forward at the same time. Hark!"</p> + +<p>They heard the report of a rifle shot in the forest, then another and +another. Willet joined them and said it was the wish of Rogers that they +remain where they were, as a small force was needed at that point to +prevent a landing by the Indians. A fire from the lake would undoubtedly be +opened upon their flank, but if the warriors could be kept in their canoes +it could not become very deadly. Black Rifle came also, and he, Willet, +Robert, Tayoga and ten of the rangers lying down behind some trees at the +edge of the cliff, watched the water.</p> + +<p>The Indian fleet hovered a little while out of rifle shot. Meanwhile the +firing in the forest grew. Bullets from both sides pattered on leaves and +bark, and the shouts of besieged and besiegers mingled, but the members of +the force on the cliff kept their eyes resolutely on the water.</p> + +<p>"The canoes are moving again," said Tayoga. "They are coming a little +nearer. I see Frenchmen in some of them and presently they will try to +sweep the bank with their rifles."</p> + +<p>"Our bullets will carry as far as theirs," said the hunter.</p> + +<p>"True, O, Great Bear, and perhaps with surer aim."</p> + +<p>In another moment puffs of white smoke appeared in the fleet, which was +swinging forward in a crescent shape, and Robert heard the whine of lead +over his head. Then Willet pulled the trigger and a warrior fell from his +canoe. Black Rifle's bullet sped as true, and several of the rangers also +found their targets. Yet the fleet pressed the attack. Despite their +losses, the Indians did not give back, the canoes came closer and closer, +many of the warriors dropped into the water behind their vessels and fired +from hiding, bullets rained around the little band on the cliff, and +presently struck among them. Two of the rangers were slain and two more +were wounded. Robert saw the Frenchmen in the fleet encouraging the +Indians, and he knew that their enemies were firing at the smoke made by +the rifles of the defenders. Although he and his comrades were invisible to +the French and Indians in the fleet, the bullets sought them out +nevertheless. Wounds were increasing and another of the rangers was killed. +Theirs was quickly becoming an extremely hot corner.</p> + +<p>But Willet, who commanded at that point, gave no order to retreat. He and +all of his men continued to fire as fast as they could reload and take aim. +Yet to choose a target became more difficult, as the firing from the fleet +made a great cloud of smoke about it, in which the French and Indians were +hidden, or, at best, were but wavering phantoms. Robert's excited +imagination magnified them fivefold, but he had no thought of shirking the +battle, and he crept to the very brink, seeking something at which to fire +in the clouds of smoke that were steadily growing larger and blacker.</p> + +<p>The foes upon the lake fought mostly in silence, save for the crackle of +their rifles, but Robert became conscious presently of a great shouting +behind him. In his concentration upon their own combat he had forgotten the +main battle; but now he realized that it was being pressed with great fury +and upon a half circle from the north and west. He looked back and saw that +the forest was filled with smoke pierced by innumerable red flashes; the +rattle of the rifles there made a continuous crash, and then he heard a +tremendous report, followed by a shout of dismay from the rangers.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he cried. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>Willet, who was crouched near him, turned pale, but he replied in a steady +voice.</p> + +<p>"St. Luc has brought a field piece, a twelve-pounder, I think, and they've +opened fire with grape-shot. They'll sweep the whole forest. Who'd have +thought it?"</p> + +<p>The battle sank for a moment, and then a tremendous yell of triumph came +from the Indians. Presently, the cannon crashed again, and its deadly +charge of grape took heavy toll of the rangers. Then the lake and the +mountains gave back the heavy boom of the gun in many echoes, and it was +like the toll of doom. The Indians on both water and shore began to shout +in the utmost fury, and Robert detected the note of triumph in the +tremendous volume of sound. His heart went down like lead. Rogers crept +back to Willet and the two talked together earnestly.</p> + +<p>"The cannon changes everything," said the leader of the rangers. "More than +twenty of my men are dead, and nearly twice as many are wounded. 'Tis +apparent they have plenty of grape, and they are sending it like hail +through the forest. The bushes are no shelter, as it cuts through 'em. +Dave, old comrade, what do you think?"</p> + +<p>"That St. Luc is about to have his revenge for the defeat we gave him at +Andiatarocte. The cannon with its grape turns the scale. They come on with +uncommon fury! It seems to me I hear a thousand rifles all together."</p> + +<p>St. Luc now pressed the attack from every side save the south. The French +and Indians in the fleet redoubled their fire. The twelve-pounder was +pushed forward, and, as fast as the expert French gunners could reload it, +the terrible charges of grape-shot were sent among the rangers. More were +slain or wounded. The little band of defenders on the high cliff +overlooking the lake at last found their corner too hot for them and were +compelled to join the main force. Then the French and Indians in the fleet +landed with shouts of triumph and rushed upon the Americans.</p> + +<p>Robert caught glimpses of other Frenchmen as he faced the forest. Once an +epaulet showed behind a bush and then a breadth of tanned face which he was +sure belonged to De Courcelles. And so this man who had sought to make him +the victim of a deadly trick was here! And perhaps Jumonville also! A +furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, +but it disappeared. He crept a little farther forward, hoping for another +view, and Tayoga noticed his eager, questing gaze.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he asked. "Whom do you hate so much?"</p> + +<p>"I saw the French Colonel, De Courcelles, and I was seeking to draw a bead +on him, but he has gone."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has, but another takes his place. Look at the clump of bushes +directly in front of us and you will see a pale blue sleeve which beyond a +doubt holds the arm of a French officer. The arm cannot be far away from +the head and body, which I think we will see in time, if we keep on +looking."</p> + +<p>Both watched the bushes with a concentrated gaze and presently the head and +shoulders, following the arm, disclosed themselves. Robert raised his rifle +and took aim, but as he looked down the sights he saw the face among the +leaves, and a shudder shook him. He lowered his rifle.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" whispered the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"The man I chose for my target," replied Robert, "was not De Courcelles, +nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonnière, who was so kind to us +in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull +trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life."</p> + +<p>"Is he still there?"</p> + +<p>Robert looked again and De Galissonnière was gone. He felt immense relief. +He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to +face in battle.</p> + +<p>The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the +rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and +muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers +was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been +exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded +so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades.</p> + +<p>They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and +holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving +rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all +the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly +than on that day.</p> + +<p>Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and +firing whenever he could secure a good aim.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance."</p> + +<p>"He is here."</p> + +<p>"But you said you hadn't seen him."</p> + +<p>"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we +observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more +than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it +every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it +is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure."</p> + +<p>Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of +Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder +again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many +times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising +at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked +eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet +through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at +which to aim.</p> + +<p>Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled +with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so many +dangers, merely to take part in such a disaster? Unconsciously he began to +shout in an effort to encourage those with him, and although he did not +know it, it was a reply to the war cries of Tandakora. The smoke and the +odors of the burned gunpowder filled his nostrils and throat, and heated +his brain. Now and then he would stop his own shouting and listen for the +reply of Tandakora. Always it came, the ferocious note of the Ojibway +swelling and rising above the warwhoop of the other Indians.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga looks for Tandakora," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Truly, yes," replied Robert. "Just now it's my greatest wish in life to +find him with a bullet. I hear his voice almost continuously, but I can't +see him! I think the smoke hides him."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, it is not the smoke, it is Areskoui. I know it, because the +Sun God has whispered it in my ear. You will hear the voice of Tandakora +all through the battle, but you will not see him once."</p> + +<p>"Why should your Areskoui protect a man like Tandakora, who deserves death, +if anyone ever did?"</p> + +<p>"He protects him, today merely, not always. It is understood that I shall +meet Tandakora in the final reckoning. I told him so, when I was his +captive, and he struck me in the face. It was no will of mine that made me +say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them. So, I know, +O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now. His time is +not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks."</p> + +<p>Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and +his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a +prophet's. The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the +depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true. Then the +tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as +before, his body remained invisible. Tandakora's Indians, many of whom had +come with him from the far shores of the Great Lakes, showed all the +cunning and courage that made them so redoubtable in forest warfare. Armed +with good French muskets and rifles they crept forward among the thickets, +and poured in an unceasing fire. Encouraged by the success at Oswego, and +by the knowledge that the great St. Luc, the best of all the French +leaders, was commanding the whole force, their ferocity rose to the highest +pitch and it was fed also by the hope that they would destroy all the hated +and dreaded rangers whom they now held in a trap.</p> + +<p>Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds, +and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush, +and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed +boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before +the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal, +always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the +bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers.</p> + +<p>"It's a powerful attack," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because +they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded. +They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the +battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This +place is becoming too much exposed."</p> + +<p>They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they +could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely +missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed +closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by +hundreds of rifles and muskets.</p> + +<p>Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around +them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the +rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert +knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his +place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor +and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly +superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with +him in the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us."</p> + +<p>"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men. +St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap. +There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap."</p> + +<p>"I hate to yield the field."</p> + +<p>"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to +lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your +standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever."</p> + +<p>The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked +sadly upon his fallen men. He was bleeding himself from two slight wounds, +but he paid no attention to them. The need to flee pierced his soul, but +he saw that it must be done, else all the rangers would be destroyed, and, +while he still hesitated a moment or two, the silver whistle of St. Luc, +urging on a fresh and greater attack, rose above all the sounds of combat. +Then he knew that he must wait no longer, and he gave the command for +ordered flight.</p> + +<p>Not more than half of the rangers escaped from that terrible converging +attack. St. Luc's triumph was complete. He had won full revenge for his +defeat by Andiatarocte, and he pushed the pursuit with so much energy and +skill that Rogers bade the surviving rangers scatter in the wilderness to +reassemble again, after their fashion, far to the south.</p> + +<p>Black Rifle remained with the leader, but Robert, Tayoga and Willet +continued their flight together, not stopping until night, when they were +safe from pursuit. As the three went southward through the deep forest, +they saw many trails that they knew to be those of hostile Indians, and +nowhere did they find a sign of a friend. All the wilderness seemed to have +become the country of the enemy. When they looked once more from the lofty +shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they +watched they discovered that they were those of the foe. A terrible fear +clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St. Luc, had struck +already.</p> + +<p>"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga. "All that we find +in the forest proclaims it."</p> + +<p>"I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you +are."</p> + +<p>They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon. +Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, +following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced +south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the +dense thickets for rest. The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than +usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky +folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension.</p> + +<p>They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their +blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and +its touch was damp. Clouds also covered all the skies, and, before long, a +thin, drizzling rain fell. They would have been cold, and, in time, wet to +the bone, but the blankets were sufficient to protect them.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui, after smiling upon us for so long, has now turned his face from +us," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"What else can you expect?" said the valiant Willet. "It is always so in +war. You're up and then you're down. We were masters of the peaks for a +while, and by our capture of Garay's letter we kept St. Luc from attacking +Albany, but the stars never fight for you all the time. We couldn't do +anything that would save the rangers from defeat."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga looked up. The others could not see his face, but it was +reverential, and the cold rain that fell upon it had then no chill for +him. Instead it was soothing.</p> + +<p>"Tododaho is on his great star beyond the clouds," he said, "and he is +looking down on us. We have done wrong or he and Areskoui would not have +withdrawn their favor from us, but we have done it unknowingly, and, in +time, they will forgive us. As long as the Onondagas are true to him +Tododaho will watch over them, although at times he may punish them."</p> + +<p>That Tododaho was protecting them even then was proved conclusively to +Tayoga before the night was over. A great war party passed within a hundred +yards of them, going swiftly southward, but the three, swathed in their +blankets, and, hidden in the dark thickets, had no fear. They were merely +three motes in the wilderness and the warriors did not dream that they were +near. When the last sound of their marching had sunk into nothingness, +Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"It was not the will of Tododaho that they should suspect our presence, but +I fear that they go to a triumph."</p> + +<p>They rose from the thicket early the following morning, and resumed their +flight, but it soon came to a halt, when the Onondaga pointed to a trail in +the forest, made apparently by about twenty warriors. The hawk eye of +Tayoga, however, picked out one trace among them which all three knew was +made by a white man.</p> + +<p>"I know, too," said the red youth, "the white man who made it."</p> + +<p>"Tell us his name," said the hunter, who had full confidence in the +wonderful powers of the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"It is the Frenchman, Langlade, who held Dagaeoga a prisoner in his village +so long. I know his traces, because I followed them before. His foot is +very small, and it has been less than an hour since he passed here. They +are ahead of us, directly in our path."</p> + +<p>"What do you think we ought to do, Dave?" asked Robert, anxiously. "You +know we want to go south as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>"We must try to go around Langlade," replied Willet. "It's true, we'll lose +time, but it's better to lose time and be late a little than to lose our +lives and never get there at all."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a very wise man," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>They made at once a sharp curve toward the east, but just when they thought +they were passing parallel with Langlade's band, they were fired upon from +a thicket, the bullet singing by Robert's ear. The three took cover in the +bushes, and a long and trying combat of sharpshooters took place. Two +warriors were slain and both Willet and Tayoga were grazed by the Indian +fire, but they were not hurt. Robert once caught sight of Langlade, and he +might have dropped the partisan with his bullet, but his heart held his +hand. Langlade had shown him many a kindness, during his long captivity +and, although he was a fierce enemy now, the lad was not one to forget. As +he had spared De Galissonnière, so would he spare Langlade, and, in a +moment or two, the Frenchman was gone from his sight.</p> + +<p>Another dark and rainy night came, and, protected by it, they crept in +silence past the partisan's band soon leaving this new danger far behind +them. Tayoga was very grateful, and accepted their escape as a sign.</p> + +<p>"While Manitou, who rules all things, has decreed that we must suffer much +before victory," he said, "yet, as I see it, he has decreed also that we +three shall not fall, else why does he spread so many dangers before us, +and then take us safely through them?"</p> + +<p>"It looks the same way to me," said Willet. "The dark and rainy night that +he sent enabled us to pass by Langlade and his band."</p> + +<p>"A second black night following a first," said Tayoga, devoutly. "I do not +doubt that it was sent for our benefit by Manitou, who is lord even over +Tododaho and Areskoui."</p> + +<p>They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they +caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake's +glittering waters. But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians +upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that +Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at +least, to their enemies. Yet the three themselves were favored. The rain +ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight +became easy. A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, +furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they +were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure.</p> + +<p>"It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated," said Tayoga in his +precise language, "that the frown of Manitou is not for us three. The way +opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends."</p> + +<p>"If we have any friends left," said the hunter. "I fear greatly, Tayoga, +that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive. He has a powerful force +with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed."</p> + +<p>"He has struck already and he has struck terribly," said Tayoga with great +gravity.</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?" asked Robert, startled.</p> + +<p>"I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words," +replied the Onondaga, "but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more +potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning +me. We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement. The +governors of the provinces have not acted together. Everyone is of his own +mind, and no two minds are alike. No effort was made to profit by the great +victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte. Waraiyageh, sore in body +and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been +ready and vigorous."</p> + +<p>"While the French and Indians are all that we are not?"</p> + +<p>"Even so. Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he +intends to do. He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below. His +force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in +numbers. He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has +struck. There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I +tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to believe you, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I do. The +conclusion seems inevitable to me."</p> + +<p>"I'm hoping when hope's but faint," said Robert.</p> + +<p>They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at +least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with +precision.</p> + +<p>"Here passed the cannon," said Tayoga. "I judge by the size of the ruts the +wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way. What do you +say, Great Bear?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; +a child could tell their number. They had other batteries too."</p> + +<p>"And the wooden walls of our forts wouldn't stand much chance against a +continuous fire of twelve and eighteen pounders," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"No," said Willet. "The forts could be saved only by enterprising and +skillful commanders who would drive away the batteries."</p> + +<p>"Here went the warriors," said Tayoga. "They were on the outer edges of the +great trail, walking lightly, according to their custom. See the traces of +the moccasins, scores and scores of them. We will come very soon to a place +where the whole army camped for the night. How do I know, O, Dagaeoga? +Because numerous trails are coming in from the forest and converging upon +one point. They do that because it is time to gather for food and the +night's rest. Some of the warriors went into the forest to hunt game, and +they found it, too. Look at the drops of blood, still faintly showing on +the grass, leading here, and here, and here into the main trail, drops that +fell from the deer they had slain. Also they shot birds. Behold feathers +hanging on the bushes, blown there by the wind, which proves that the site +of their camp is very near, as I said."</p> + +<p>"It's just over the hill in that wide, shallow valley," said Willet.</p> + +<p>They entered the valley which had been marked by the departed army with +signs as clear as the print of a book for the Onondaga and the hunter to +read.</p> + +<p>"Here at the northern end of the valley is where the warriors cooked and +ate the deer they had slain," said Tayoga. "The bones are scattered all +about, and we see the ashes of their fires, but they kept mostly to +themselves, because few footprints of white men lead to the place they set +aside as their own. Just beyond them the cannon were parked. All this is +very simple. An Onondaga child eight years old could read what is written +in this camp. Here are the impressions made by the cannon wheels, and just +beside them the artillery horses were tethered, as the numerous hoofprints +show."</p> + +<p>"And here, I imagine," said Robert, who had walked on, "the Marquis de +Montcalm and his lieutenants spent the night. Tents were pitched for them. +You can see the holes left by the pegs."</p> + +<p>"Spoken truly, O, Dagaeoga. You are using eye and mind, and lo! you are +showing once more the beginnings of wisdom. Four tents were pitched. The +rest of the army slept in the open. Montcalm and his lieutenants +themselves would have done so, but the setting up of the tents inspired +respect in the warriors and even in the troops. The French leaders have +mind and they profit by it. They neglect no precaution, no detail to +increase their prestige and maintain their authority."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Tayoga," said Willet, "and I can wish that our own officers +would do the same. The French are marvelously expert in dealing with +Indians. They can handle them all, except the Hodenosaunee. But don't you +think they held a short council here by this log, after they had eaten +their suppers?"</p> + +<p>"It cannot be doubted, Great Bear. Montcalm and his captains sat on the +log. The Indian chiefs sat in a half circle before it, and they smoked a +pipe. See, the traces of the ashes on the grass. They were planning the +attack upon the fort. It is bound to be William Henry, because the trail +leads in that direction."</p> + +<p>"And these marks on the log, Tayoga, show that there was some indecision, +at first, and much talking. Two or three of the French officers had their +hunting knives in their hands, and they carved nervously at the log, just +as a man will often whittle as he argues."</p> + +<p>"Well stated, O, Great Bear. After the conference, the chiefs went back in +single file to their own part of the camp. Here goes their trail, and you +can nearly fancy that all stepped exactly in the footprints of the first."</p> + +<p>"The straight, decisive line proves too, Tayoga, that the plan was +completed and everything ready for the attack. The chiefs would not have +gone away in such a manner if they had not been satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Well stated again, Great Bear. The Marquis de Montcalm also went directly +back to his tent. See, where the boot heels pressed."</p> + +<p>"But you have no way of knowing," said Robert, "that the traces of boot +heels indicate the Marquis."</p> + +<p>"O, Dagaeoga, after all my teaching, you forget again that mind can see +where the eye cannot. Train the mind! Train the mind, and you will get much +profit from it. The traces of these boot heels lead directly to the place +where the largest tent stood. We know it was the largest, because the holes +left by the tent pegs are farthest apart. And we know it belonged to the +Marquis de Montcalm, because, always having that keen eye for effect, the +French Commander-in-Chief would have no tent but the largest."</p> + +<p>"True as Gospel, Tayoga," said the hunter, "and the French officers +themselves had a little conference in the tent of the Marquis, after they +had finished with the Indian chiefs. Here, within the square made by the +pegs, are the prints of many boot heels and they were not all made by the +Marquis, since they are of different sizes. Probably they were completing +some plans in regard to the artillery, since the warriors would have +nothing to do with the big guns. Here are ashes, too, in the corner near +one of the pegs. I think it likely that the Marquis smoked a thoughtful +pipe after all the others had gone."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dave," said Robert, "and he had much to think about. The officers +from Europe find things tremendously changed when they come from their +open fields into this mighty wilderness. We know what happened to Braddock, +because we saw it, and we had a part in it. I can understand his mistake. +How could a soldier from Europe read the signs of the forest, signs that he +had never seen before, and foresee the ambush?"</p> + +<p>"He couldn't, Robert, lad, but while countries change in character men +themselves don't. Braddock was brave, but he should have remembered that he +was not in Europe. The Marquis de Montcalm remembers it. He made no mistake +at Oswego and he is making none here. He took the Indian chiefs into +council, as we have just seen. He placates them, he humors their whims, and +he draws out of them their full fighting power to be used for the French +cause."</p> + +<p>Tayoga ranged about the shallow valley a little, and announced that the +whole force had gone on together the morning after the encampment.</p> + +<p>"The artillery and the infantry were in close ranks," he said, "and the +warriors were on either flank, scouting in the forest, forming a fringe +which kept off possible scouts of the English and Americans. There was no +chance of a surprise attack which would cut up the forces of Montcalm and +impede his advance."</p> + +<p>Willet sighed.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis, although he may not have known it," he said, "was in no +danger from such an enterprise. We have read the signs too well, Tayoga. +Our own people have been lying in their forts, weak of will, waiting to +defend themselves, while the French and their allies have had all the +wilderness to range over, and in which they might do as they pleased. It is +easy to see where the advantage lies."</p> + +<p>"And we shall soon learn what has happened," said Tayoga, gravely.</p> + +<p>The next morning they met an American scout who told them the terrible news +of the capture of Fort William Henry, with its entire garrison, by +Montcalm, and the slaughter afterward of many of the prisoners by the +Indians.</p> + +<p>Robert was appalled.</p> + +<p>"Is Lake George to remain our only victory?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"It's better to have a bad beginning and a good ending than a good +beginning and a bad ending," said the scout.</p> + +<p>"Remember," said Tayoga, "how Areskoui watched over us, when we were among +the peaks. As he watched over us then so later on he will watch over our +cause."</p> + +<p>"It was only for a moment that I felt despair," said Robert. "It is certain +that victory always comes to those who know how to work and wait."</p> + +<p>Courage rose anew in their hearts, and once more they sped southward, +resolved to make greater efforts than any that had gone before.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11311 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + + diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e6b55e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #11311 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11311) diff --git a/old/11311-8.txt b/old/11311-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..35c0fb2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11311-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9500 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Masters of the Peaks + A Story of the Great North Woods + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: February 26, 2004 [EBook #11311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTERS OF THE PEAKS *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Nicolas Hayes, Beth Scott and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +The MASTERS of the PEAKS + +A STORY OF THE GREAT NORTH WOODS + + +BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER + +1918 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Masters of the Peaks," while presenting a complete story in +itself is the fourth volume of the French and Indian War Series, of +which the predecessors were "The Hunters of the Hills," "The Shadow +of the North," and "The Rulers of the Lakes." Robert Lennox, Tayoga, +Willet, and all the other important characters of the earlier romances +reappear in the present book. + + + + +CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES + + +ROBERT LENNOX: A lad of unknown origin + +TAYOGA A young Onondaga warrior + +DAVID WILLET A hunter + +RAYMOND LOUIS DE ST. LUC A brilliant French officer + +AUGUSTE DE COURCELLES A French officer + +FRANÇOIS DE JUMONVILLE A French officer + +LOUIS DE GALISSONNIÈRE A young French officer + +JEAN DE MÉZY A corrupt Frenchman + +ARMAND GLANDELET A young Frenchman + +PIERRE BOUCHER A bully and bravo + +PHILIBERT DROUILLARD A French priest + +THE MARQUIS DUQUESNE Governor-General of Canada + +MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL Governor-General of Canada + +FRANÇOIS BIGOT Intendant of Canada + +MARQUIS DE MONTCALM French commander-in-chief + +DE LEVIS A French general + +BOURLAMAQUE A French general + +BOUGAINVILLE A French general + +ARMAND DUBOIS A follower of St. Luc + +M. DE CHATILLARD An old French Seigneur + +CHARLES LANGLADE A French partisan + +THE DOVE The Indian wife of Langlade + +TANDAKORA An Ojibway chief + +DAGONOWEDA A young Mohawk chief + +HENDRICK An old Mohawk chief + +BRADDOCK A British general + +ABERCROMBIE A British general + +WOLFE A British general + +COL. WILLIAM JOHNSON Anglo-American leader + +MOLLY BRANT Col. Wm. Johnson's Indian wife + +JOSEPH BRANT Young brother of Molly Brant, afterward + the great Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea + +ROBERT DINWIDDIE Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia + + + + +CHARACTERS + + +William Shirley Governor of Massachusetts + +Benjamin Franklin Famous American patriot + +James Colden A young Philadelphia captain + +William Wilton A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Hugh Carson A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Jacobus Huysman An Albany burgher + +Caterina Jacobus Huysman's cook + +Alexander McLean An Albany schoolmaster + +Benjamin Hardy A New York merchant + +Johnathan Pillsbury Clerk to Benjamin Hardy + +Adrian Van Zoon A New York merchant + +The Slaver A nameless rover + +Achille Garay A French spy + +Alfred Grosvenor A young English officer + +James Cabell A young Virginian + +Walter Stuart A young Virginian + +Black Rifle A famous "Indian fighter" + +Elihu Strong A Massachusetts colonel + +Alan Hervey A New York financier + +Stuart Whyte Captain of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +John Latham Lieutenant of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +Edward Charteris A young officer of the Royal Americans + +Zebedee Crane A young scout and forest runner + +Robert Rogers Famous Captain of American Rangers + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I. IN THE DEEP WOODS + +II. ON THE RIDGES + +III. THE BRAVE DEFENCE + +IV. THE GODS AT PLAY + +V. TAMING A SPY + +VI. PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +VII. THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +VIII. BEFORE MONTCALM + +IX. THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +X. THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +XI. THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +XII. THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +XIII. READING THE SIGNS + +XIV. ST. LUC'S REVENGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +IN THE DEEP WOODS + +A light wind sang through the foliage, turned to varying and vivid +hues now by the touch of autumn, and it had an edge of cold that made +Robert Lennox shiver a little, despite a hardy life in wilderness and +open. But it was only a passing feeling. A moment or two later he +forgot it, and, turning his eyes to the west, watched the vast +terraces of blazing color piled one above another by the sinking sun. + +Often as he had seen it the wonderful late glow over the mighty forest +never failed to stir him, and to make his pulse beat a little faster. +His sensitive mind, akin in quality to that of a poet, responded with +eagerness and joy to the beauty and majesty of nature. Forgetting +danger and the great task they had set for themselves, he watched the +banks of color, red and pink, salmon and blue, purple and yellow, +shift and change, while in the very heart of the vast panorama the +huge, red orb, too strong for human sight, glittered and flamed. + +The air, instinct with life, intoxicated him and he became rapt as in +a vision. People whom he had met in his few but eventful years passed +before him again in all the seeming of reality, and then his spirit +leaped into the future, dreaming of the great things he would see, and +in which perhaps he would have a share. + +Tayoga, the young Onondaga, looked at his comrade and he understood. +The same imaginative thread had been woven into the warp of which +he was made, and his nostrils and lips quivered as he drank in the +splendor of a world that appealed with such peculiar force to him, a +son of the woods. + +"The spirit of Areskoui (the Sun God) is upon Dagaeoga, and he has +left us to dwell for a little while upon the seas of color heaped +against the western horizon," he said. + +Willet, the hunter, smiled. The two lads were very dear to him. He +knew that they were uncommon types, raised by the gift of God far +above the normal. + +"Let him rest there, Tayoga," he said, "while those brilliant banks +last, which won't be long. All things change, and the glorious hues +will soon give way to the dark." + +"True, Great Bear, but if the night comes it, in turn, must yield to +the dawn. All things change, as you say, but nothing perishes. The sun +tomorrow will be the same sun that we see today. Black night will not +take a single ray from its glory." + +"It's so, Tayoga, but you talk like a book or a prophet. I'm wondering +if our lives are not like the going and coming of the sun. Maybe we +pass on from one to another, forever and forever, without ending." + +"Great Bear himself feels the spell of Areskoui also." + +"I do, but we'd better stop rhapsodizing and think about our needs. +Here, Robert, wake up and come back to earth! It's no time to sing a +song to the sun with the forest full of our red enemies and the white +too, perhaps." + +Robert awoke with a start. + +"You dragged me out of a beautiful world," he said. + +"A world in which you were the central star," rejoined the hunter. + +"So I was, but isn't that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man +creates? He's their sun or he wouldn't create 'em." + +"We're getting too deep into the unknown. Plant your feet on the solid +earth, Robert, and let's think about the problems a dark night is +going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. +Lawrence." + +Young Lennox shivered again. The terraces in the west suddenly began +to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge. + +"I know one thing," he said. "I know the night's going to be cold. It +always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I'd +like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could +warm our food." + +The hunter glanced at the Onondaga. + +"That tells the state of my mind, too," he said, "but I doubt whether +it would be safe. If we're to be good scouts, fit to discover the +plans of the French and Indians, we won't get ourselves cut off by +some rash act in the very beginning." + +"It may not be a great danger or any at all," said Tayoga. "There is +much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and +we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a +smothered fire." + +"You're a friend at the right time, Tayoga," said Robert. "I feel that +I must have warmth. Lead on and find the stony hollow for us." + +The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty +hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was +coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy. + +The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a +triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped. They had waited +to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but +there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one +another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the +season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts +and roving bands that never rested. But Robert, Willet and Tayoga +hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance +during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great +risks in the effort. + +They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and +passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze. The +wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder. The +glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as +yet without stars, spread over the earth. + +Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, +stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the +selection of a place where they could stay. The Onondaga, guided by +long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had +lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence. +His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they +desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many +hollows. + +The darkness increased, and the wind swept through the chasms with +alternate moan and whistle, but the red youth held on his course for +a full two miles, and his comrades followed without a word. When the +cliffs about them rose to a height of two or three hundred feet, he +stopped, and, pointing with a long forefinger, said he had found what +they wished. + +Robert at first could see nothing but a pit of blackness, but +gradually as he gazed the shadows passed away, and he traced a deep +recess in the stone of the cliff, not much of a shelter to those +unused to the woods, but sufficient for hardy forest runners. + +"I think we may build a little fire in there," said Tayoga, "and no +one can see it unless he is here in the ravine within ten feet of us." + +Willet nodded and Robert joyfully began to prepare for the blaze. The +night was turning even colder than he had expected, and the chill +was creeping into his frame. The fire would be most welcome for its +warmth, and also because of the good cheer it would bring. He swept +dry leaves into a heap within the recess, put upon them dead wood, +which was abundant everywhere, and then Tayoga with artful use of +flint and steel lighted the spark. + +"It is good," admitted the hunter as he sat Turkish fashion on the +leaves, and spread out his hands before the growing flames. "The +nights grow cold mighty soon here in the high hills of the north, and +the heat not only loosens up your muscles, but gives you new courage." + +"I intend to make myself as comfortable as possible," said Robert. +"You and Tayoga are always telling me to do so and I know the advice +is good." + +He gathered great quantities of the dry leaves, making of them what +was in reality a couch, upon which he could recline in halfway fashion +like a Roman at a feast, and warm at the fire before him the food he +carried in a deerskin knapsack. An appetizing odor soon arose, and, as +he ate, a pleasant warmth pervaded all his body, giving him a feeling +of great content. They had venison, the tender meat of the young bear +which, like the Indians, they loved, and they also allowed themselves +a slice apiece of precious bread. Water was never distant in the +northern wilderness, and Tayoga found a brook not a hundred yards +away, flowing down a ravine that cut across their own. They drank at +it in turn, and, then, the three lay down on the leaves in the recess, +grateful to the Supreme Power which provided so well for them, even in +the wild forest. + +They let the flames die, but a comfortable little bed of coals +remained, glowing within the shelter of the rocks. Young Lennox heaped +up the leaves until they formed a pillow under his head, and then +half dreaming, gazed into the heart of the fire, while his comrades +reclined near him, each silent but with his mind turned to that which +concerned him most. + +Robert's thoughts were of St. Luc, of the romantic figure he had +seen in the wilderness after the battle of Lake George, the knightly +chevalier, singing his gay little song of mingled sentiment and +defiance. An unconscious smile passed over his face. He and St. Luc +could never be enemies. In very truth, the French leader, though an +official enemy, had proved more than once the best of friends, ready +even to risk his life in the service of the American lad. What was +the reason? What could be the tie between them? There must be some +connection. What was the mystery of his origin? The events of the last +year indicated to him very clearly that there was such a mystery. +Adrian Van Zoon and Master Benjamin Hardy surely knew something about +it, and Willet too. Was it possible that a thread lay in the hand of +St. Luc also? + +He turned his eyes from the coals and gazed at the impassive face of +the hunter. Once the question trembled on his lips, but he was sure +the Great Bear would evade the answer, and the lad thought too much of +the man who had long stood to him in the place of father to cause him +annoyance. Beyond a doubt Willet had his interests at heart, and, when +the time came for him to speak, speak he would, but not before. + +His mind passed from the subject to dwell upon the task they had set +for themselves, a thought which did not exclude St. Luc, though the +chevalier now appeared in the guise of a bold and skillful foe, with +whom they must match their wisdom and courage. Doubtless he had formed +a new band, and, at the head of it, was already roaming the country +south of the St. Lawrence. Well, if that were the case perhaps they +would meet once more, and he would have given much to penetrate the +future. + +"Why don't you go to sleep, Robert?" asked the hunter. + +"For the best of reasons. Because I can't," replied the lad. + +"Perhaps it's well to stay awake," said the Onondaga gravely. + +"Why, Tayoga?" + +"Someone comes." + +"Here in the ravine?" + +"No, not in the ravine but on the cliff opposite us." + +Robert strained both eye and ear, but he could neither see nor hear +any human being. The wall on the far side of the ravine rose to a +considerable height, its edge making a black line against the sky, but +nothing there moved. + +"Your fancy is too much for you, Tayoga," he said. "Thinking that +someone might come, it creates a man out of air and mist." + +"No, Dagaeoga, my fancy sleeps. Instead, my ear, which speaks only the +truth, tells me a man is walking along the crest of the cliff, and +coming on a course parallel with our ravine. My eye does not yet see +him, but soon it will confirm what my ear has already told me. This +deep cleft acts as a trumpet and brings the sound to me." + +"How far away, then, would you say is this being, who, I fear, is +mythical?" + +"He is not mythical. He is reality. He is yet about three hundred +yards distant. I might not have heard him, even with the aid of the +cleft, but tonight Areskoui has given uncommon power to my ear, +perhaps to aid us, and I know he is walking among thick bushes. I can +hear the branches swish as they fly back into place, after his body +has passed. Ah, a small stick popped as it broke under his foot!" + +"I heard nothing." + +"That is not my fault, O Dagaeoga. It is a heavy man, because I now +hear his footsteps, even when they do not break anything. He walks +with some uncertainty. Perhaps he fears lest he should make a false +step, and tumble into the ravine." + +"Since you can tell so much through hearing, at such a great distance, +perhaps you know what kind of a man the stranger is. A warrior, I +suppose?" + +"No, he is not of our race. He would not walk so heavily. It is a +white man." + +"One of Rogers' rangers, then? Or maybe it is Rogers himself, or +perhaps Black Rifle." + +"It is none of those. They would advance with less noise. It is one +not so much used to the forest, but who knows the way, nevertheless, +and who doubtless has gone by this trail before." + +"Then it must be a Frenchman!" + +"I think so too." + +"It won't be St. Luc?" + +"No, Dagaeoga, though your tone showed that for a moment you hoped it +was. Sharp Sword is too skillful in the forest to walk with so heavy +a step. Nor can it be either of the leaders, De Courcelles or +Jumonville. They also are too much at home in the woods. The right +name of the man forms itself on my lips, but I will wait to be sure. +In another minute he will enter the bare space almost opposite us and +then we can see." + +The three waited in silence. Although Robert had expressed doubt he +felt none. He had a supreme belief in the Onondaga's uncanny powers, +and he was quite sure that a man was moving upon the bluff. A stranger +at such a time was to be watched, because white men came but little +into this dangerous wilderness. + +A dark figure appeared within the prescribed minute upon the crest and +stopped there, as if the man, whoever he might be, wished to rest and +draw fresh breath. The sky had lightened and he was outlined clearly +against it. Robert gazed intently and then he uttered a little cry. + +"I know him!" he said. "I can't be mistaken. It's Achille Garay, the +one whose name we found written on a fragment of a letter in Albany." + +"It's the man who tried to kill you, none other," said Tayoga gravely, +"and Areskoui whispered in my ear that it would be he." + +"What on earth can he be doing here in this lone wilderness at such a +time?" asked Robert. + +"Likely he's on his way to a French camp with information about our +forces," said Willet. "We frightened Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, when we +were in Albany, but I suppose that once a spy and traitor always a +spy and traitor. Since the immediate danger has moved from Albany, +Martinus and Garay may have begun work again." + +"Then we'd better stop him," said Robert. + +"No, let him go on," said Willet. "He can't carry any information +about us that the French leaders won't find out for themselves. +The fact that he's traveling in the night indicates a French camp +somewhere near. We'll put him to use. Suppose we follow him and +discover what we can about our enemies." + +Robert looked at the cheerful bed of coals and sighed. They were +seeking the French and Indians, and Garay was almost sure to lead +straight to them. It was their duty to stalk him. + +"I wish he had passed in the daytime," he said ruefully. + +Tayoga laughed softly. + +"You have lived long enough in the wilderness, O Dagaeoga," he said, +"to know that you cannot choose when and where you will do your work." + +"That's true, Tayoga, but while my feet are unwilling to go my will +moves me on. So I'm entitled to more credit than you who take an +actual physical de light in trailing anybody at any time." + +The Onondaga smiled, but did not reply. Then the three took up their +arms, returned their packs to their backs and without noise left the +alcove. Robert cast one more reluctant glance at the bed of coals, but +it was a farewell, not any weakening of the will to go. + +Garay, after his brief rest on the summit, had passed the open space +and was out of sight in the bushes, but Robert knew that both Tayoga +and Willet could easily pick up his trail, and now he was all +eagerness to pursue him and see what the chase might disclose. A +little farther down, the cliff sloped back to such an extent that they +could climb it without trouble, and, when they surmounted the crest, +they entered the bushes at the point where Garay had disappeared. + +"Can you hear him now, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"My ears are as good as they were when I was in the ravine," replied +the Onondaga, "but they do not catch any sounds from the Frenchman. +It is, as we wish, because we do not care to come so near him that he +will hear." + +"Give him a half mile start," said Willet. "The ground is soft here, +and it won't be any sort of work to follow him. See, here are the +traces of his footsteps now, and there is where he has pushed his way +among the little boughs. Notice the two broken twigs, Robert." + +They followed at ease, the trail being a clear one, and the light of +moon and stars now ample. Robert began to feel the ardor of the chase. +He did not see Garay, but he believed that Tayoga at times heard him +with those wonderful ears of his. He rejoiced too that chance had +caused them to find the French spy in the wilderness. He remembered +that foul attempt upon his life in Albany, and, burning with +resentment, he was eager to thwart Garay in whatever he was now +attempting to do. Tayoga saw his face and said softly: + +"You hate this man Garay?" + +"I don't like him." + +"Do you wish me to go forward and kill him?" + +"No! No, Tayoga! Why do you ask me such a cold-blooded question?" + +The Onondaga laughed gently. + +"I was merely testing you, Dagaeoga," he said. "We of the Hodenosaunee +perhaps do not regard the taking of life as you do, but I would not +shoot Garay from ambush, although I might slay him in open battle. Ah, +there he is again on the crest of the ridge ahead!" + +Robert once more saw the thick, strong figure of the spy outlined +against the sky which was now luminous with a brilliant moon and +countless clear stars, and the feeling of resentment was very powerful +within him. Garay, without provocation, had attempted his life, and +he could not forget it, and, for a moment or two, he felt that if +the necessity should come in battle he was willing for a bullet from +Tayoga to settle him. Then he rebuked himself for harboring rancor. + +Garay paused, as if he needed another rest, and looked back, though it +was only a casual glance, perhaps to measure the distance he had come, +and the three, standing among the dense bushes, had no fear that he +saw them or even suspected that anyone was on his traces. After a +delay of a minute or so he passed over the crest and Robert, Willet +and Tayoga moved on in pursuit. The Frenchman evidently knew his path, +as the chase led for a long time over hills, down valleys and across +small streams. Toward morning he put his fingers to his lips and blew +a shrill whistle between them. Then the three drew swiftly near +until they could see him, standing under the boughs of a great oak, +obviously in an attitude of waiting. + +"It is a signal to someone," said Robert. + +"So it is," said Willet, "and it means that he and we have come to +the end of our journey. I take it that we have arrived almost at the +French and Indian camp, and that he whistles because he fears lest he +should be shot by a sentinel through mistake. The reply should come +soon." + +As the hunter spoke they heard a whistle, a faint, clear note far +ahead, and then Garay without hesitation resumed his journey. The +three followed, but when they reached the crest of the next ridge they +saw a light shining through the forest, a light that grew and finally +divided into many lights, disclosing to them with certainty the +presence of a camp. The figure of Garay appeared for a little while +outlined against a fire, another figure came forward to meet him, and +the two disappeared together. + +From the direction of the fires came sounds subdued by the distance, +and the aroma of food. + +"It is a large camp," said Tayoga. "I have counted twelve fires which +proves it, and the white men and the red men in it do not go hungry. +They have deer, bear, fish and birds also. The pleasant odors of them +all come to my nostrils, and make me hungry." + +"That's too much for me," said Robert. "I can detect the blended +savor, but I know not of what it consists. Now we go on, I suppose, +and find out what this camp holds." + +"We wouldn't dream of turning back," said the hunter. "Did you notice +anything familiar, Robert, about the figure that came forward to meet +Garay?" + +"Now that you speak of it, I did, but I can't recall the identity of +the man." + +"Think again!" + +"Ah, now I have him! It was the French officer, Colonel Auguste de +Courcelles, who gave us so much trouble in Canada and elsewhere." + +"That's the man," said Willet. "I knew him at once. Now, wherever De +Courcelles is mischief is likely to be afoot, but he's not the only +Frenchman here. We'll spy out this camp to the full. There's time yet +before the sunrise comes." + +Now the three used all the skill in stalking with which they were +endowed so plentifully, creeping forward without noise through the +bushes, making so little stir among them that if a wary warrior had +been looking he would have taken the slight movement of twig or leaf +for the influence of a wandering breeze. Gradually the whole camp came +into view, and Tayoga's prediction that it would be a large one proved +true. + +Robert lay on a little knoll among small bushes growing thick, where +the keenest eye could not see him, but where his own vision swept +the whole wide shallow dip, in which the French and Indian force was +encamped. Twelve fires, all good and large, burned gayly, throwing out +ruddy flames from great beds of glowing coals, while the aroma of food +was now much stronger and very appetizing. + +The force numbered at least three hundred men, of whom about one third +were Frenchmen or Canadians, all in uniform. Robert recognized De +Courcelles and near him Jumonville, his invariable comrade, and a +little farther on a handsome and gallant young face. + +"It's De Galissonnière of the Battalion Languedoc, whom we met in +Québec," he whispered to Tayoga. "Now I wonder what he's doing here." + +"He's come with the others on a projected foray," Tayoga whispered +back. "But look beyond him, Dagaeoga, and you will see one more to be +dreaded than De Courcelles or Jumonville." + +Robert's gaze followed that of the young Onondaga and was intercepted +by the huge figure of Tandakora, the Ojibway, who stood erect by one +of the fires, bare save for a breech cloth and moccasins, his body +painted in the most hideous designs, of which war paint was possible, +his brow lowering. + +"Tandakora is not happy," said Tayoga. + +"No," said Robert. "He is thinking of the battle at Lake George that +he did not win, and of all the scalps he did not take. He is thinking +of his lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French." + +"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the spy, +Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh +and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their +victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big +campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to +breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles +consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, +Garay. But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!" + +Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant +figure of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall +man, young, lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner +at once graceful and proud, a man to whom the others turned with +deference, and perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville +with a little fear. He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and +a small gold hilted sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, +dress impresses, and Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his +finest attire, not from vanity, but because he wished to create an +effect. It would be like him, when his fortunes were lowest, to assume +his highest manner before both friend and foe. + +"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of +victories and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is +the finest spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader +and soldier, too. Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop +asking questions of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself +bows low before him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora +stand aside. I wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn +something worth all our risk in coming here." + +But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three, +eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes +and watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and +Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast +for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. +St. Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French +officers and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he +leaned against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, +powerfully built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he +ate mechanically. + +The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The +three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time +for them to be going. + +"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the +daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, +will wander about the camp." + +"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too +great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good +food will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote." + +They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense breath +of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look upon +the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the reach +of those who made it. + +"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my bones +are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my hunger has +grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to speak, +with red hot pincers." + +"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical +tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the +pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance +to show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such +little things as food and drink." + +"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted +young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if +I could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison." + +"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm +beginning to feel as you do, Robert." + +Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they pursued +a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt. Even then +they hunted about among the rocks until they found a secluded place, +no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to grumble, +although he did not mean it. + +"We were better off last night when we had our little fire in the +hollow," he said. + +"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, +"but we didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least +increased our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have +been awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has +passed, ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should +practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is +pretty well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on +the leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the +bare ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done +so already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. +Whoever does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to +decide." + +But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so +nearly at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He +noticed with pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to +himself, as he had said so often before, that they were two good and +brave lads. + +Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon, +and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees. + +His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had +acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult +physical art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So +thorough was his mastery over himself that the small wild game began +to believe by and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his +head and the hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw +everything and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the +more acuteness. + +The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding +the world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to +Willet, whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and +aspects. They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew +that the hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must +have much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods, +seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them. + +The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did +not sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed +thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins. +Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more +intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come +to him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it +was the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired +in battle. The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had +started up a deer or a bear. + +But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to +the proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart +to miss a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that +they should be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have +rejoiced if there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert +and Tayoga whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And +how he would have spread his nets to catch such precious game! + +He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the +hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was +turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were +obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game +of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer +and bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of +their guns. + +But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and +his lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general +expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no +anxiety marred his sense of the humorous. + +Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded +bear and still he was motionless. + +Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They +believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks and +ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in safe +hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure one +day would be sufficient for the task. That portion of the wilderness +was full of game, and, since the coming of the war, deer and bear were +increasing rapidly. Willet often noted how quickly game returned to +regions abandoned by man, as if the wild animals promptly told one +another the danger had passed. + +Joyous shouts came now and then and he knew that they marked the +taking of game, but about the middle of the afternoon the hunt drifted +entirely away. A little later Tayoga awoke and sat up. Then Willet +moved slightly and spoke. + +"Tandakora's hunters have been all about us while you slept," he said, +"but I knew they wouldn't find us." + +"Dagaeoga and I were safe in the care of the Great Bear," said the +Onondaga confidently. "Tandakora will rage if we tell him some day +that we were here, to be taken if he had only seen us. Now Lennox +awakes also! O Dagaeoga, you have slept and missed all the great +jest." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga?" + +"Tandakora built his fire just beyond the big bush that grows ten feet +away, and sat there two hours without suspecting our presence here." + +"Now I know you are romancing, Tayoga, because I can see the twinkle +in your eyes. But I suspect that what you say bears some remote +relation to the truth." + +"The hostile hunters passed while you slept, and while I slept also, +but the Great Bear was all eyes and ears and he did not think it +needful to awaken us." + +"What are we going to do now, Dave?" + +"Eat more venison. We must never fail to keep the body strong." + +"And then?" + +"I'm not sure. I thought once that we'd better go south to our army at +Lake George with news of this big band, but it's a long distance down +there, and it may be wiser to stay here and watch St. Luc. What do you +say, Robert?" + +"Stay here." + +"And you, Tayoga?" + +"Watch St. Luc." + +"I was inclining to that view myself, and it's settled now. But we +mustn't move from this place until dark; it would be too dangerous in +the day." + +The lads nodded and the three settled into another long period of +waiting. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +ON THE RIDGES + +Late in the afternoon Willet went to sleep and Robert and Tayoga +watched, although, as the hunter had done, they depended more upon +ear than eye. They too heard now and then the faint report of distant +shots from the hunt, and Robert's heart beat very fast, but, if the +young Onondaga felt emotion, he did not show it. At twilight, they +ate a frugal supper, and when the night had fully come they rose and +walked about a little to make their stiffened muscles elastic again. + +"The hunters have all gone back to the camp now," said Tayoga, "since +it is not easy to pursue the game by dusk, and we need not keep so +close, like a bear in its den." + +"And the danger of our being seen is reduced to almost nothing," said +Robert. + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but we will have another fight to make. We must +strive to keep ourselves from freezing. It turns very cold on the +mountains! The wind is now blowing from the north, and do you not feel +a keener edge to it?" + +"I do," replied Robert, sensitive of body as well as mind, and he +shivered as he spoke. "It's a most unfortunate change for us. But now +that I think of it we've got to expect it up among the high mountains +toward Canada. Shall we light another fire?" + +"We'll talk of that later with the Great Bear when he comes out of his +sleep. But it fast grows colder and colder, Dagaeoga!" + +Weather was an enormous factor in the lives of the borderers. +Wilderness storms and bitter cold often defeated their best plans, and +shelterless men, they were in a continual struggle against them. And +here in the far north, among the high peaks and ridges, there was much +to be feared, even with official winter yet several weeks away. + +Robert began to rub his cold hands, and, unfolding his blanket, he +wrapped it about his body, drawing it well up over his neck and ears. +Tayoga imitated him and Willet, who was soon awakened by the cold +blast, protected himself in a similar manner. + +"What does the Great Bear think?" asked the Onondaga. + +The hunter, with his face to the wind, meditated a few moments before +replying. + +"I was testing that current of air on my face and eyes," he said, +"and, speaking the truth, Tayoga, I don't like it. The wind seemed to +grow colder as I waited to answer you. Listen to the leaves falling +before it! Their rustle tells of a bitter night." + +"And while we freeze in it," said Robert, whose imagination was +already in full play, "the French and Indians build as many and big +fires as they please, and cook before them the juicy game they killed +today." + +The hunter was again very thoughtful. + +"It looks as if we would have to kindle a fire," he said, "and +tomorrow we shall have to hunt bear or deer for ourselves, because we +have food enough left for only one more meal." + +"The face of Areskoui is turned from us," said Tayoga. "We have done +something to anger him, or we have failed to do what he wished, and +now he sends upon us a hard trial to test us and purify us! A great +storm with fierce cold comes!" + +The wind rose suddenly, and it began to make a sinister hissing among +all the passes and gorges. Robert felt something damp upon his face, +and he brushed away a melting flake of snow. But another and another +took its place and the air was soon filled with white. And the flakes +were most aggressive. Driven by the storm they whipped the cheeks +and eyes of the three, and sought to insert themselves, often with +success, under their collars, even under the edges of the protecting +blankets, and down their backs. Robert, despite himself, shivered +violently and even the hunter was forced to walk vigorously back and +forth in the effort to keep warm. It was evident that the Onondaga had +told the truth, and that the face of Areskoui was in very fact turned +from them. + +Robert awaited the word, looking now and then at Willet, but the +hunter hung on for a long time. The leaves fell in showers before the +storm, making a faint rustling like the last sigh of the departing, +and the snow, driven with so much force, stung his face like hail when +it struck. He was anxious for a fire, and its vital heat, but he was +too proud to speak. He would endure without complaint as much as his +comrades, and he knew that Tayoga, like himself, would wait for the +older man to speak. + +But he could not keep, meanwhile, from thinking of the French and +Indians beside their vast heaps of glowing coals, fed and warmed to +their hearts' content, while the three lay in the dark and bitter cold +of the wilderness. An hour dragged by, then two, then three, but the +storm showed no sign of abating. The sinister screaming of the wind +did not cease and the snow accumulated upon their bodies. At last +Willet said: + +"We must do it." + +"We have no other choice," said Tayoga. "We have waited as long as we +could to see if Areskoui would turn a favoring face upon us, but his +anger holds. It will not avail, if in our endeavor to escape the +tomahawk of Tandakora, we freeze to death." + +The fire decided upon, they took all risks and went about the task +with eagerness. Ordinary men could not have lighted it under such +circumstances, but the three had uncommon skill upon which to draw. +They took the bark from dead wood, and shaved off many splinters, +building up a little heap in the lee of a cliff, which they sheltered +on the windward side with their bodies. Then Willet, working a long +time with his flint and steel, set to it the sparks that grew into a +blaze. + +Robert did not stop with the fire. Noticing the vast amount of dead +wood lying about, as was often the case in the wilderness, he dragged +up many boughs and began to build a wall on the exposed side of the +flames. Willet and Tayoga approving of the idea soon helped him, and +three pairs of willing hands quickly raised the barrier of trunks and +brush to a height of at least a yard. + +"A happy idea of yours, Robert," said the hunter. "Now we achieve two +ends at once. Our wall hides the glow of the fire and at the same time +protects us in large measure from the snow and wind." + +"I have bright thoughts now and then," said Robert, whose spirits had +returned in full tide. "You needn't believe you and Tayoga have all +of 'em. I don't believe either of you would have ever thought of this +fine wooden wall. In truth, Dave, I don't know what would become of +you and Tayoga if you didn't have me along with you most all the +time! How good the fire feels! The warmth touches my fingers and goes +stealing up my arms and into my body! It reaches my face too and +goes stealing down to meet the fine heat that makes a channel of my +fingers! A glorious fire, Tayoga! I tell you, a glorious fire, Dave! +The finest fire that's burning anywhere in the world!" + +"The quality of a fire depends on the service it gives," said the +hunter. + +"Dagaeoga has many words when he is happy," said the Onondaga. "His +tongue runs on like the pleasant murmur of a brook, but he does it +because Manitou made him that way. The world must have talkers as +well as doers, and it can be said for Lennox that he acts as well as +talks." + +"Thanks, I'm glad you put in the saving clause," laughed Robert. "But +it's a mighty good thing we built our wooden wall. That wind would cut +to the bone if it could get at you." + +"The wind at least will keep the warriors away," said Tayoga. "They +will all stay close in the camp on such a night." + +"And no blame to them," murmured the hunter. "If we weren't in the +Indian country I'd build our own fire five times as big. Now, Robert, +suppose you go to sleep." + +"I can't, Dave. You know I slept all the morning, but I'm not +suffering from dullness. I'm imagining things. I'm imagining how much +worse off we'd be if we didn't have flint and steel. I can always find +pleasure in making such contrasts." + +But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer +and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a +glowing mass of coals. He was wondering what they would do on the +morrow, when their food was exhausted. They had not only the storm to +fight, but possible starvation in the days to come. He foresaw that +instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a +struggle merely to live. + +"Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga," he said. "Who would have +predicted such a storm so early in the season?" + +"We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and +that will account for the violent change. I think the wind and snow +will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow." + +"Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall +higher and save ample fuel for the fire." + +The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon +it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of +brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood +began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, +as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped +his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the +farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber. + +One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as +he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a +rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and +spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the +pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the +darkness, and he retreated two or three steps. + +It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason +told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through +the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on +his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was +so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger +but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear +had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some +warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature +the stranger and intruder might be. + +Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to +him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would +furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large +blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for +a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of +danger or attack on the part of either. + +"If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad. + +The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl. + +"I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear." + +Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature. + +"Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen +sapling." + +A third growl, now ingratiating. + +"It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and +I wouldn't think of fighting." + +A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and +understanding. + +"We're in agreement, I see. Good night, I wish you well." + +A fifth growl, which had the tone of benevolent farewell, and the +bear, dropping on all fours, disappeared in the brush. Robert, whose +fancy had been alive and leaping, returned to the camp rather pleased +with himself, despite the fact that about three hundred pounds of +excellent food had walked away undisturbed. + +"I ran upon a big bear," he said to the hunter and the Onondaga. + +"I heard no shot," said Willet. + +"No, I didn't fire. Neither my impulse nor my will told me to do so. +The bear looked at me in such brotherly fashion that I could never +have sent a bullet into him. I'd rather go hungry." + +Neither Willet nor Tayoga had any rebuke for him. + +"Doubtless the soul of a good warrior had gone into the bear and +looked out at you," said the Onondaga with perfect sincerity. "It is +sometimes so. It is well that you did not fire upon him or the face of +Areskoui would have remained turned from us too long." + +"That's just the way I felt about it," said Robert, who had great +tolerance for Iroquois beliefs. "His eyes seemed fully human to me, +and, although I had my pistol in my belt and my hand when I first saw +him flew to its butt, I made no attempt to draw it. I have no regrets +because I let him go." + +"Nor have we," said Willet. "Now I think we can afford to rest again. +We can build our wall six feet high if we want to and have wood enough +left over to feed a fire for several days." + +The two lads, the white and the red, crouched once more in the lee of +the cliff, while the hunter put two fresh sticks on the coals. But +little of the snow reached them where they lay, wrapped well in their +blankets, and all care disappeared from Robert's mind. Inured to the +wilderness he ignored what would have been discomfort to others. The +trails they had left in the snow when they hunted wood would soon be +covered up by the continued fall, and for the night, at least, there +would be no danger from the warriors. He felt an immense comfort and +security, and by-and-by fell asleep again. Tayoga soon followed him to +slumberland, and Willet once more watched alone. + +Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did +not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he +would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there +would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel. + +The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and +then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow +had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and +all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point +where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them +the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen +appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to +descend into the lower country and hunt game. + +"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said +Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that +the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians +also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be +delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back." + +"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in +his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only +on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and +perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets." + +"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert. + +"We must send out a scout first," said Willet. + +It was agreed that Tayoga should go, and in about two hours he +returned with grave news. The warriors were out again, hunting in the +snow, and although unconscious of it themselves they formed an almost +complete ring about the three, a ring which they must undertake to +break through now in full daylight, and with the snow ready to leave a +broad trail of all who passed. + +"They would be sure to see our path," said Tayoga. "Even the short +trail I made when I went forth exposes us to danger, and we must trust +to luck that they will not see it. There is nothing for us to do, but +to remain hidden here, until the next night comes. It is quite certain +that the face of Areskoui is still turned from us. What have we done +that is displeasing to the Sun God?" + +"I can't recall anything," said Robert. + +"Perhaps it is not what we have done but what we have failed to do, +though whatever it is Areskoui has willed that we lie close another +day." + +"And starve," said Robert ruefully. + +"And starve," repeated the Onondaga. + +The three crouched once more under the lee of the cliff, but toward +noon they built their wooden wall another foot higher, driven to the +work by the threatening aspect of the sky, which turned to a somber +brown. The wind sprang up again, and it had an edge of damp. + +"Soon it will rain," said Tayoga, "and it will be a bitter cold rain. +Much of the snow will melt and then freeze again, coating the earth +with ice. It will make it more difficult for us to travel and the +hunting that we need so much must be delayed. Then we'll grow hungrier +and hungrier." + +"Stop it, Tayoga," exclaimed Robert. "I believe you're torturing me on +purpose. I'm hungry now." + +"But that is nothing to what Dagaeoga will be tonight, after he has +gone many hours without food. Then he will think of the juicy venison, +and of the tender steak of the young bear, and of the fine fish from +the mountain streams, and he will remember how he has enjoyed them in +the past, but it will be only a memory. The fish that he craves will +be swimming in the clear waters, and the deer and the bear will be far +away, safe from his bullet." + +"I didn't know you had so much malice in your composition, Tayoga, but +there's one consolation; if I suffer you suffer also." + +The Onondaga laughed. + +"It will give Dagaeoga a chance to test himself," he said. "We know +already that he is brave in battle and skillful on the trail, and now +we will see how he can sit for days and nights without anything to +eat, and not complain. He will be a hero, he will draw in his belt +notch by notch, and never say a word." + +"That will do, Tayoga," interrupted the hunter. "While you play upon +Robert's nerves you play upon mine also, and they tell me you've said +enough. Actually I'm beginning to feel famished." + +Tayoga laughed once more. + +"While I jest with you I jest also with myself," he said. "Now we'll +sleep, since there is nothing else to do." + +He drew his blanket up to his eyes, leaned against the stony wall and +slept. Robert could not imitate him. As the long afternoon, one of the +longest he had ever known, trailed its slow length away, he studied +the forest in front of them, where the cold and mournful rain was +still falling, a rain that had at least one advantage, as it had long +since obliterated all traces of a trail left by Tayoga on his scouting +expedition, although search as he would he could find no other profit +in it. + +Night came, the rain ceased, and, as Tayoga had predicted, the intense +cold that arrived with the dark, froze it quickly, covering the earth +with a hard and polished glaze, smoother and more treacherous than +glass. It was impossible for the present to undertake flight over +such a surface, with a foe naturally vigilant at hand, and they made +themselves as comfortable as they could, while they awaited another +day. Now Robert began to draw in his belt, while a hunger that was +almost too fierce to be endured assailed him. His was a strong body, +demanding much nourishment, and it cried out to him for relief. He +tried to forget in sleep that he was famished, but he only dozed a +while to awaken to a hunger more poignant than ever. + +Yet he said never a word, but, as the night with its illimitable hours +passed, he grew defiant of difficulties and dangers, all of which +became but little things in presence of his hunger. It was his impulse +to storm the Indian camp itself and seize what he wanted of the +supplies there, but his reason told him the thought was folly. Then he +tried to forget about the steaks of bear and deer, and the delicate +little fish from the mountain stream that Tayoga had mentioned, but +they would return before his eyes with so much vividness that he +almost believed he saw them in reality. + +Dawn came again, and they had now been twenty-four hours without food. +The pangs of hunger were assailing all three fiercely, but they did +not yet dare go forth, as the morning was dark and gloomy, with a +resumption of the fierce, driving rain, mingled with hail, which +rattled now and then like bullets on their wooden wall. + +Robert shivered in his blanket, not so much from actual cold as from +the sinister aspect of the world, and his sensitive imagination, +which always pictured both good and bad in vivid colors, foresaw the +enormous difficulties that would confront them. Hunger tore at him, +as with the talons of a dragon, and he felt himself growing weak, +although his constitution was so strong that the time for a decline in +vitality had not yet really come. He was all for going forth in the +storm and seeking game in the slush and cold, ignoring the French and +Indian danger. But he knew the hunter and the Onondaga would not hear +to it, and so he waited in silence, hot anger swelling in his heart +against the foes who kept him there. Unable to do anything else, he +finally closed his eyes that he might shut from his view the gray and +chilly world that was so hostile. + +"Is Areskoui turning his face toward us, Tayoga?" he asked after a +long wait. + +"No, Dagaeoga. Our unknown sin is not yet expiated. The day grows +blacker, colder and wetter." + +"And I grow hungrier and hungrier. If we kill deer or bear we must +kill three of each at the same time, because I intend to eat one all +by myself, and I demand that he be large and fat, too. I suppose we'll +go out of this place some time or other." + +"Yes, Dagaeoga." + +"Then we'd better make up our minds to do it before it's too late. I +feel my nerves and tissues decaying already." + +"It's only your fancy, Dagaeoga. You can exist a week without food." + +"A week, Tayoga! I don't want to exist a week without food! I +absolutely refuse to do so!" + +"The choice is not yours, now, O Dagaeoga. The greatest gift you can +have is patience. The warrior, Daatgadose, of the clan of the Bear, of +the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, even +as I am, hemmed in by enemies in the forest, and with his powder and +bullets gone, lay in hiding ten days without food once passing his +lips, and took no lasting hurt from it. You, O Dagaeoga, will +surely do as well, and I can give you many other examples for your +emulation." + +"Stop, Tayoga. Sometimes I'm sorry you speak such precise English. If +you didn't you couldn't have so much sport with a bad situation." + +The Onondaga laughed deeply and with unction. He knew that Robert was +not complaining, that he merely talked to fill in the time, and he +went on with stories of illustrious warriors and chiefs among his +people who had literally defied hunger and thirst and who had lived +incredible periods without either food or water. Willet listened in +silence, but with approval. He knew that any kind of talk would cheer +them and strengthen them for the coming test which was bound to be +severe. + +Feeling that no warriors would be within sight at such a time they +built their fire anew and hovered over the flame and the coals, +drawing a sort of sustenance from the warmth. But when the day was +nearly gone and there was no change in the sodden skies Robert +detected in himself signs of weakness that he knew were not the +product of fancy. Every inch of his healthy young body cried out for +food, and, not receiving it, began to rebel and lose vigor. + +Again he was all for going forth and risking everything, and he +noticed with pleasure that the hunter began to shift about and to peer +into the forest as if some plan for action was turning in his mind. +But he said nothing, resolved to leave it all to Tayoga and Willet, +and by-and-by, in the dark, to which his eyes had grown accustomed, he +saw the two exchanging glances. He was able to read these looks. +The hunter said: "We must try it. The time has come." The Onondaga +replied: "Yes, it is not wise to wait longer, lest we grow too feeble +for a great effort." The hunter rejoined: "Then it is agreed," and the +Onondaga said: "If our comrade thinks so too." Both turned their eyes +to young Lennox who said aloud: "It's what I've been waiting for a +long time. The sooner we leave the better pleased I'll be." + +"Then," said Willet, "in an hour we'll start south, going down the +trail between the high cliffs, and we'll trust that either we've +expiated our sin, whatever it was, or that Areskoui has forgiven us. +It will be terrible traveling, but we can't wait any longer." + +They wrapped their blankets about their bodies as additional covering, +and, at the time appointed, left their rude shelter. Yet when they +were away from its protection it did not seem so rude. When their +moccasins sank in the slush and the snow and rain beat upon their +faces, it was remembered as the finest little shelter in the world. +The bodies of all three regretted it, but their wills and dire +necessity sent them on. + +The hunter led, young Lennox followed and Tayoga came last, their feet +making a slight sighing sound as they sank in the half-melted snow and +ice now several inches deep. Robert wore fine high moccasins of tanned +mooseskin, much stronger and better than ordinary deerskin, but before +long he felt the water entering them and chilling him to the bone. +Nevertheless, keeping his resolution in mind, and, knowing that the +others were in the same plight, he made no complaint but trudged +steadily on, three or four feet behind Willet, who chose the way that +now led sharply downward. Once more he realized what an enormous +factor changes in temperature were in the lives of borderers and how +they could defeat supreme forethought and the greatest skill. Winter +with its snow and sleet was now the silent but none the less potent +ally of the French and Indians in preventing their escape. + +They toiled on two or three miles, not one of the three speaking. The +sleet and hail thickened. In spite of the blanket and the deerskin +tunic it made its way along his neck and then down his shoulders and +chest, the chill that went downward meeting the chill that came upward +from his feet, now almost frozen. He could not recall ever before +having been so miserable of both mind and body. He did not know it +just then, but the lack of nourishment made him peculiarly susceptible +to mental and physical depression. The fires of youth were not burning +in his veins, and his vitality had been reduced at least one half. + +Now, that terrible hunger, although he had striven to fight it, +assailed him once more, and his will weakened slowly. What were those +tales Tayoga had been telling about men going a week or ten days +without food? They were clearly incredible. He had been less than two +days without it, and his tortures were those of a man at the stake. + +Willet's eyes, from natural keenness and long training, were able to +pierce the dusk and he showed the way, steep and slippery though it +was, with infallible certainty. They were on a lower slope, where by +some freak of the weather there was snow instead of slush, when he +bent down and examined the path with critical and anxious eyes. Robert +and Tayoga waited in silence, until the hunter straightened up again. +Then he said: + +"A war party has gone down the pass ahead of us. There were about +twenty men in it, and it's not more than two hours beyond us. Whether +it's there to cut us off, or has moved by mere chance, I don't know, +but the effect is just the same. If we keep on we'll run into it." + +"Suppose we try the ascent and get out over the ridges," said Robert. + +Willet looked up at the steep and lofty slopes on either side. + +"It's tremendously bad footing," he replied, "and will take heavy toll +of our strength, but I see no other way. It would be foolish for us to +go on and walk straight into the hands of our enemies. What say you, +Tayoga?" + +"There is but a single choice and that a desperate one. We must try +the summits." + +They delayed no longer, and, Willet still leading, began the frightful +climb, choosing the westward cliff which towered above them a +full four hundred feet, and, like the one that faced it, almost +precipitous. Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using +them as supports they toiled slowly upward. Now and then, in spite of +every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it +fell into the pass. Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell +Robert shivered. His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the +pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, +outlined against the slope. + +"Can't you go a little faster?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead. + +"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter. "We mustn't risk a fall. +But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert. It's the fear of being +shot in the back as you climb. I feel it too, but it's only fancy with +both of us." + +Robert said no more, but, calling upon his will, bent his mind to +their task. Above him was the dusky sky and the summit seemed to tower +a mile away, but he knew that it was only sixty or seventy yards now, +and he took his luxurious imagination severely in hand. At such a time +he must deal only in realities and he subjected all that he saw to +mathematical calculation. Sixty or seventy yards must be sixty or +seventy yards only and not a mile. + +After a time that seemed interminable Willet's figure disappeared over +the cliff, and, with a gasp, Robert followed, Tayoga coming swiftly +after. The three were so tired, their vitality was so reduced that +they lay down in the snow, and drew long, painful breaths. When some +measure of strength was restored they stood up and surveyed the place +where they stood, a bleak summit over which the wind blew sharply. +Nothing grew there but low bushes, and they felt that, while they may +have escaped the war band, their own physical case was worse instead +of better. Both cold and wind were more severe and a bitter hail beat +upon them. It was obvious that Areskoui did not yet forgive, although +it must surely be a sin of ignorance, of omission and not of +commission, with the equal certainty that a sin of such type could not +be unforgivable for all time. + +"We seem to be on a ridge that runs for a great distance," said +Tayoga. "Suppose we continue along the comb of it. At least we cannot +make ourselves any worse off than we are now." + +They toiled on, now and then falling on the slippery trail, their +vitality sinking lower and lower. Occasionally they had glimpses of a +vast desolate region under a somber sky, peaks and ridges and slopes +over which clouds hovered, the whole seeming to resent the entry of +man and to offer to him every kind of resistance. + +Robert was now wet through and through. No part of his body had +escaped and he knew that his vitality was at such a low ebb that at +least seventy-five per cent, of it was gone. He wanted to stop, his +cold and aching limbs cried out for rest, and he craved heat at the +cost of every risk, but his will was still firm, and he would not be +the first to speak. It was Willet who suggested when they came to a +slight dip that they make an effort to build a fire. + +"The human body, no matter how strong it may be naturally, and how +much it may be toughened by experience, will stand only so much," he +said. + +They were constantly building fires in the wilderness, but the fire +they built that morning was the hardest of them all to start. They +selected, as usual, the lee of a rocky uplift, and, then by the +patient use of flint and steel, and, after many failures, they +kindled a blaze that would last. But in their reduced state the labor +exhausted them, and it was some time before they drew any life from +the warmth. When the circulation had been restored somewhat they piled +on more wood, taking the chance of being seen. They even went so far +as to build a second fire, that they might sit between the two and dry +themselves more rapidly. Then they waited in silence the coming of the +dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +THE BRAVE DEFENSE + +Robert hoped for a fair morning. Surely Areskoui would relent now! But +the sun that crept languidly up the horizon was invisible to them, +hidden by a dark curtain of clouds that might shed, at any moment, +torrents of rain or hail or snow. The whole earth swam in chilly +damp. Banks of cold fog filled the valleys and gorges, and shreds and +patches of it floated along the peaks and ridges. The double fires had +dried his clothing and had sent warmth into his veins, increasing his +vitality somewhat, but it was far below normal nevertheless. He had an +immense aversion to further movement. He wanted to stay there between +the coals, awaiting passively whatever fate might have for him. +Somehow, his will to make an effort and live seemed to have gone. + +While weakness grew upon him and he drooped by the fire, he did not +feel hunger, but it was only a passing phase. Presently the desire for +food that had gnawed at him with sharp teeth came back, and with it +his wish to do, like one stirred into action by pain. Hunger itself +was a stimulus and his sinking vitality was arrested in its decline. +He looked around eagerly at the sodden scene, but it certainly held +out little promise of game. Deer and bear would avoid those steeps, +and range in the valleys. But the will to action, stimulated back to +life, remained. However comfortable it was between the fires they must +not stay there to perish. + +"Why don't we go on?" he said to Willet. + +"I'm glad to hear you ask that question," replied the hunter. + +"Why, Dave?" + +"Because it shows that you haven't given up. If you've got the courage +to leave such a warm and dry place you've got the courage also to make +another fight for life. And you were the first to speak, too, Robert." + +"We must go on," said Tayoga. "But it is best to throw slush over the +fire and hide our traces." + +The task finished they took up their vague journey, going they knew +not where, but knowing that they must go somewhere, their uncertain +way still leading along the crests of narrow ridges, across shallow +dips and through drooping forests, where the wind moaned miserably. At +intervals, it rained or snowed or hailed and once more they were wet +through and through. The recrudescence of Robert's strength was a mere +flare-up. His vitality ebbed again, and not even the fierce gnawing +hunger that refused to depart could stimulate it. By-and-by he began +to stumble, but Tayoga and Willet, who noticed it, said nothing--they +staggered at times themselves. They toiled on for hours in silence, +but, late in the afternoon, Robert turned suddenly to the Onondaga. + +"Do you remember, Tayoga," he said, "something you said to me a couple +of days since, or was it a week, or maybe a month ago? I seem to +remember time very uncertainly, but you were talking about repasts, +banquets, Lucullan banquets, more gorgeous banquets than old Nero had, +and they say he was king of epicures. I think you spoke of tender +venison, and juicy bear steaks, and perhaps of a delicate broiled +trout from one of these clear mountain streams. Am I not right, +Tayoga? Didn't you mention viands? And perhaps you may still be +thinking of them?" + +"I _am_, Dagaeoga. I am thinking of them all the time. I confess to +you that I am so hungry I could gnaw the inside of the fresh bark upon +a tree, and if I were turned loose upon a deer, slain and cooked, I +could eat him all from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail." + +"Stop, you boys," said Willet sternly. "You only aggravate your +sufferings. Isn't that a valley to the right, Tayoga, and don't you +catch the gleam of a little lake among its trees?" + +"It is a valley, Great Bear, and there _is_ a small lake in the +center. We will go there. Perhaps we can catch fish." + +Hope sprang up in Robert's heart. Fish? Why, of course there were fish +in all the mountain lakes! and they never failed to carry hooks and +lines in their packs. Bait could be found easily under the rocks. +He did not conceal his eagerness to descend into the valley and the +others were not less forward than he. + +The valley was about half a square mile in area, of which the lake in +the center occupied one-fourth, the rest being in dense forest. +The three soon had their lines in water, and they waited full of +anticipation, but they waited in vain until long after night had come. +Not one of the three received a bite. The lines floated idly. + +"Every lake in the mountains except one is full of fish--except one!" +exclaimed Robert bitterly, "and this is the one!" + +"No, it is not that," said Tayoga gravely. "It means that the face +of Areskoui is still turned from us, that the good Sun God does not +relent for our unknown sin. We must have offended him deeply that he +should remain angry with us so long. This lake is swarming with fish, +like the others of the mountains, but he has willed that not one +should hang upon our hooks. Why waste time?" + +He drew his line from the water, wound it up carefully and replaced +it in his pack. The others, after a fruitless wait, imitated him, +convinced that he was right. Then, after infinite pains, as before, +they built two fires again, and slept between them. But the next +morning all three were weak. Their vitality had declined fast in the +night, and the situation became critical in the extreme. + +"We must find food or we die," said Willet. "We might linger a long +time, but soon we won't have the strength to hunt, and then it would +only be a question of when the wolves took us." + +"I can hear them howling now on the slopes," said Tayoga. "They know +we are here, and that our strength is declining. They will not face +our rifles, but will wait until we are too weak to use them." + +"What is your plan, Dave?" asked Robert. + +"There must be game on the slopes. What say you, Tayoga?" + +"If Areskoui has willed for game to be there it will be there. He +will even send it to us. And perhaps he has decided that he has now +punished us enough." + +"It certainly won't hurt for us to try, and perhaps we'd better +separate. Robert, you go west; Tayoga, you take the eastern slopes, +and I'll hunt toward the north. By night we'll all be back at this +spot, full-handed or empty-handed, as it may be, but full-handed, I +hope." + +He spoke cheerfully, and the others responded in like fashion. Action +gave them a mental and physical tonic, and bracing their weak bodies +they started in the direction allotted to each. Robert forgot, for a +little while, the terrible hunger that seemed to be preying upon his +very fiber, and, as he started away, showed an elasticity and buoyancy +of which he could not have dreamed himself capable five minutes +before. + +Westward stretched forest, lofty in the valley, high on the slopes and +everywhere dense. He plunged into it, and then looked back. Tayoga and +Willet were already gone from his sight, seeking what he sought. Their +experience in the wilderness was greater than his, and they were +superior to him in trailing, but he was very hopeful that it would be +his good fortune to find the game they needed so badly, the game they +must have soon, in truth, or perish. + +The valley was deep in slush and mire, and the water soaked through +his leggings and moccasins again, but he paid no attention to it now. +His new courage and strength lasted. Glancing up at the heavens he +beheld a little rift in the western clouds. A bar of light was +let through, and his mind, so imaginative, so susceptible to the +influences of earth and air, at once saw it as an omen. It was a +pillar of fire to him, and his faith was confirmed. + +"Areskoui is turning back his face, and he smiles upon us," he said to +himself. Then looking carefully to his rifle, he held it ready for an +instant shot. + +He came to the westward edge of the valley, and found the slope before +him gentle but rocky. He paused there a while in indecision, and, +then glancing up again at the bar of light that had grown broader, he +murmured, so much had he imbibed the religion and philosophy of the +Iroquois: + +"O Areskoui, direct me which way to go." + +The reply came, almost like a whisper in his ear: + +"Try the rocks." + +It always seemed to him that it was a real whisper, not his own mind +prompting him, and he walked boldly among the rocks which stretched +for a long distance along the slopes. Then, or for the time, at least, +he felt sure that a powerful hand was directing him. He saw tracks in +the soft soil between the strong uplifts and he believed that they +were fresh. Hollows were numerous there, and game of a certain kind +would seek them in bitter weather. + +His heart began to pound hard, too heavily, in fact, for his weakened +frame, and he was compelled to stop and steady himself. Then he +resumed the hunt once more, looking here and there between the rocky +uplifts and in the deep depressions. He lost the tracks and then +he found them, apparently fresher than ever. Would he take what he +sought? Was the face of Areskoui still inclining toward him? He looked +up and the bar of light was steadily growing broader and longer. The +smile of the Sun God was deeper, and his doubts went away, one by one. + +He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at +him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle +leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not +miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the +heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him. + +Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly +grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was +food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced. +Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while +he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The +wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was +resolved they should have none. + +He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle, +long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than +the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the +opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew +that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared, +striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full +of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors. + +"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of +a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed. +Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here +is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us." + +Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet +caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened +condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he +revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of +the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without +undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did +they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little +pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval +between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and +vigorous, poured back into their veins. + +"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a +good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving +our lives." + +"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is +now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiated. We must cook all +the bear, and hang the flesh in the trees." + +"So we must," said the hunter. "It's not right that we three, who are +engaged in the great service of our country, should be hindered by the +danger of starvation. We ought now to be somewhere near the French and +Indians, watching them." + +"Tomorrow we will seek them, Great Bear," said Tayoga, "but do you not +think that tonight we should rest?" + +"So we should, Tayoga. You're right. We'll take all chances on being +seen, keep a good fire going and enjoy our comfort." + +"And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so," said Robert. + +"If we feel like it that's just what we'll do," laughed Willet. "It's +our night, now. Surely, Robert, you're the greatest hunter in the +world! Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked +straight to your bear." + +"No irony," said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased. "It merely +proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you +two. But don't you notice a tremendous change?" + +"Change! Change in what?" + +"Why, everything! The whole world is transformed! Around us a +little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now +magnificent and cheerful. I never saw finer oaks and beeches. That sky +which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and +purples of a benevolent sunset. The wind, lately cold and wet, is +actually growing soft, dry and warm. It's a grand world, a kind world, +a friendly world!" + +"Thus, O Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "does the stomach rule man and the +universe. It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that +was black turns to rose. But the rose will soon be gone, because the +sunlight is fading and night is at hand." + +"But it's a fine night," said Robert sincerely. "I think it about the +finest night I ever saw coming." + +"Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks," said Willet, "and +you'll be sure it's the finest night that ever was or ever will be." + +"I think I will," said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a +sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling +sound, "and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, +I may take another." + +The revulsion in all three was tremendous. Although they had hidden +it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had +made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was +returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes. They +lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they +thought little of danger. Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it +did not disturb men who were as happy as they. The night came down, +heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, +but they remained before the coals, sunk in content. + +They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became +silent. The big hunter considered. He knew that, despite the revulsion +in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great +campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a +while in the valley until they were restored fully. + +Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert +kept the first watch. The night, in reality, had turned much warmer +and the sky was luminous with stars. The immense sense of comfort +remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the +wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he +knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men. + +His spirits, high as they were already, rose steadily as he watched. +Surely after the Supreme Power had cast them down into the depths, a +miracle had been worked in their behalf to take them out again. It was +no skill of his that had led him to the bear, but strength far greater +than that of man was now acting in their behalf. As they had triumphed +over starvation they would triumph over everything. His sanguine mind +predicted it. + +The next morning was crisp and cold, but not wet, and Robert ate the +most savory breakfast he could recall. That bear must have been fed on +the choicest of wild nuts, topped off with wild honey, to have been so +juicy and tender, and the thought of nuts caused him to look under the +big hickory trees, where he found many of them, large and ripe. They +made a most welcome addition to their bill of fare, taking the place +of bread. Then, they were so well pleased with themselves that they +concluded to spend another day and night in the valley. + +Tayoga about noon climbed the enclosing ridge to the north, and, when +he returned, Willet noticed a sparkle in his eyes. But the hunter said +nothing, knowing that the Onondaga would speak in his own good time. + +"There is another valley beyond the ridge," said Tayoga, "and a war +party is encamped in it. They sit by their fire and eat prodigiously +of deer they have killed." + +Robert was startled, but he kept silent, he, too, knowing that Tayoga +would tell all he intended to tell without urging. + +"They do not know we are here, I do not think they dream of our +presence," continued the Onondaga, "Areskoui smiles on us now, and +Tododaho on his star, which we cannot see by day, is watching over us. +Their feet will not bring them this way." + +"Then you wouldn't suggest our taking to flight?" said Willet. "You +would favor hiding here in peace?" + +"Even so. It will please us some day to remember that we rested and +slept almost within hearing of our enemies, and yet they did not take +us." + +"That's grim humor, Tayoga, but if it's the way you feel, Robert and I +are with you." + +Later in the afternoon they saw smoke rising beyond the ridge and +they knew the warriors had built a great fire before which they were +probably lying and gorging themselves, after their fashion when they +had plenty of food, and little else to do. Yet the three remained +defiantly all that day and all through the following night. The next +morning, with ample supplies in their packs, they turned their faces +southward, and cautiously climbed the ridge in that direction, once +more passing into the region of the peaks. To their surprise they +struck several comparatively fresh trails in the passes, and they were +soon forced to the conclusion that the hostile forces were still all +about them. Near midday they stopped in a narrow gorge between high +peaks and listened to calls of the inhabitants of the forest, the +faint howls of wolves, and once or twice the yapping of a fox. + +"The warriors signaling to one another!" said Willet. + +"It is so," said Tayoga. "I think they have noticed our tracks in +the earth, too slight, perhaps, to tell who we are, but they will +undertake to see." + +"I hear the call of a moose directly ahead," said Robert, "although I +know it is no moose that makes it. Our way there is cut off." + +"And there is the howl of the wolf behind us," said Tayoga. "We cannot +go back." + +"Then," said Robert, "I suppose we must climb the mountain. It's lucky +we've got our strength again." + +They scaled a lofty summit once more, fortunately being able to climb +among rocks, where they left no trail, and, crouched at the crest in +dense bushes, they saw two bands meet in the valley below, evidently +searching for the fugitives. There was no white man among them, but +Robert knew a gigantic figure to be that of Tandakora, seeking them +with the most intense and bitter hatred. The muzzle of his rifle began +to slide forward, but Willet put out a detaining hand. + +"No, Robert, lad," he said. "He deserves it, but his time hasn't come +yet. Besides your shot would bring the whole crowd up after us." + +"And he belongs to me," added Tayoga. "When he falls it is to be by my +hand." + +"Yes, he belongs to you, Tayoga," said Willet "Now they've concluded +that we continued toward the south, and they're going on that way." + +As they felt the need of the utmost caution they spent the remainder +of the day and the next night on the crest. Robert kept the late +watch, and he saw the dawn come, red and misty, a huge sun shining +over the eastern mountains, but shedding little warmth. He was hopeful +that Tandakora and his warriors had passed on far into the south, but +he heard a distant cry rising in the clear air east of the peak and +then a reply to the west. His heart stood still for a moment. He +knew that they were the whoops of the savages and he felt that they +signified a discovery. Perhaps chance had disclosed their trail. He +listened with great intentness, but the shouts did not come again. +Nevertheless the omen was bad. + +He awoke Willet and the Onondaga, who had been sleeping soundly, +and told them what had happened, both agreeing that the shouts were +charged with import. + +"I think it likely that we will be attacked," said the hunter. "Now we +must take another look at our position." + +The peak, luckily for them, was precipitous, and its crest did not +cover an area of more than twenty or thirty square yards. On the three +sides the ascent was so steep that a man could not climb up except +with extreme difficulty, but on the fourth, by which they had come, +the slope was more gradual. The gentle climb faced the east, and it +was here that the hunter and Robert watched, while Tayoga, for the +sake of utmost precaution, kept an eye on the steep sides. + +Knowing that it was wise to economize and even to increase their +strength, they ate abundantly of the bear steaks, afterward craving +water, which they were forced to do without--the one great flaw in +their position, since the warriors might hold them there to perish of +thirst. + +Robert soon forgot the desire for water in the tenseness of watching +and waiting. But even the anxiety and the peril to his life did not +keep him from noticing the singularity of his situation, upon the +slender peak of a high mountain far in the wilderness. The sun, full +of splendor but still cold, touched with gold all the surrounding +crests and ridges and filled with a yellow but luxurious haze every +gorge and ravine. He was compelled to admire its wintry beauty, a +beauty, though, that he knew to be treacherous, surcharged as it was +with savage wile and stratagem, and a burning desire for their lives. + +A time that seemed incredible passed without demonstration from the +enemy. But he realized that it was only about two hours. He did not +expect to see any of the warriors creeping up the slopes toward them, +but too wise to watch for their faces he did expect to notice the +bushes move ever so slightly under their advance. He and Willet +remained crouched in the same positions in the shelter of high rocks. +Tayoga, who had been moving about the far side, came to them and +whispered: + +"I am going down the northern face of the cliff!" + +"Why, it's sheer insanity, Tayoga!" said the astonished hunter. + +"But I'm going." + +"What'll you achieve after you've gone? You'll merely walk into +Tandakora's hands!" + +"I go, Great Bear, and I will return in a half hour, alive and well." + +"Is your mind upset, Tayoga?" + +"I am quite sane. Remember, Great Bear, I will be back in a half hour +unhurt." + +Then he was gone, gliding away through the low vegetation that covered +the crest, and Robert and the hunter looked at each other. + +"There is more in this than the eye sees," said young Lennox. "I never +knew Tayoga to speak with more confidence. I think he will be back +just as he says, in half an hour." + +"Maybe, though I don't understand it. But there are lots of things one +doesn't understand. We must keep our eyes on the slope, and let Tayoga +solve his own problem, whatever it is." + +There was no wind at all, but once Robert thought he saw the shrubs +halfway down the steep move, though he was not sure and nothing +followed. But, intently watching the place where the motion had +occurred, he caught a gleam of metal which he was quite sure came from +a rifle barrel. + +"Did you see it?" he whispered to the hunter. + +"Aye, lad," replied Willet. "They're there in that dense clump, hoping +we've relaxed the watch and that they can surprise us. But it may be +two or three hours before they come any farther. Always remember in +your dealings with Indians that they have more time than anything +else, and so they know how to be patient. Now, I wonder what Tayoga is +doing! That boy certainly had something unusual on his mind!" + +"Here he is, ready to speak for himself, and back inside his promised +half hour." + +Tayoga parted the bushes without noise, and sat down between them +behind the big rocks. He offered no explanation, but seemed very +content with himself. + +"Well, Tayoga," said Willet, "did you go down the side of the +mountain?" + +"As far as I wished." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I have been engaged in a very pleasant task, Great Bear." + +"What pleasure can you find in scaling a steep and rocky slope?" + +"I have been drinking, Great Bear, drinking the fresh, pure water of +the mountains, and it was wonderfully cool and good to my dry throat." + +The two gazed at him in astonishment, and he laughed low, but with +deep enjoyment. + +"I took one drink, two drinks, three drinks," he said, "and when the +time comes I shall take more. The fountain also awaits the lips of the +Great Bear and of Dagaeoga." + +"Tell it all," said Robert. + +"When I looked down the steep side a long time I thought I caught a +gleam as of falling water in the bushes. It was only twenty or thirty +yards below us, and, when I descended to it, I found a little fountain +bursting from a crevice in the rock. It was but a thread, making +a tiny pool a few inches across, before it dropped away among the +bushes, but it is very cool, very clear, and there is always plenty of +it for many men." + +"Is the descent hard?" asked Willet. + +"Not for one who is strong and cautious. There are thick vines and +bushes to which to hold, and remember that the splendid water is at +the end of the journey." + +"Then, Robert, you go," said the hunter, "and mind, too, that you get +back soon, because my throat is parching. I'd like to have one deep +drink before the warriors attack." + +Robert followed Tayoga, and, obeying his instructions, was soon at the +fountain, where he drank once, twice, thrice, and then once more +of the finest water he could recall. Then, deeply grateful for the +Onondaga's observation, he climbed back, and the hunter took his turn. + +"It was certainly good, Tayoga," he said, when he was back in +position. "Some men don't think much of water, but none of us can live +without it. You've saved our lives." + +"Perhaps, O Great Bear," responded the Onondaga, "but if the bushes +below continue to shake as they are doing we shall have to save them +again. Ah!" + +The exclamation, long drawn but low, was followed by the leap of his +rifle to the shoulder, and the pressing of his finger on the trigger. +A stream of fire sprang from the muzzle of the long barrel to be +followed by a yell in one of the thickets clustering on the slope. A +savage rose to his feet, threw up his arms and fell headlong, his body +crashing far below on the rocks. Robert shut his eyes and shivered. + +"He was dead before he touched earth, lad," said the hunter. "Now the +others are ready to scramble back. Look how the bushes are shaking +again!" + +Robert had shut his eyes only for a moment, and now he saw the scrub +shaking more violently than ever. Then he had a fleeting glimpse of +brown bodies as all the warriors descended rapidly. Anyone of the +three might have fired with good aim, but they did not raise their +rifles. Since their enemies were retreating they would let them +retreat. + +"They're all back in the valley now," said the hunter after a little +while, "and they'll think a lot before they try the steep ascent a +second time. Now it's a question of patience, and they hope we'll +become so weak from thirst that we'll fall into their hands." + +"Tandakora and his warriors would be consumed with anger if they knew +of our spring," said Tayoga. + +"They'll find out about it soon," said Robert. + +"I think not," said Tayoga. "I noticed when I was at the fountain that +the rivulet ran back into the cliff about a hundred feet below, and +one can see the water only from the crest. If Areskoui has allowed us +to be besieged here, he at least has created much in our favor." + +He looked toward the east, where the great red sun was shining, and +worshiped silently. It seemed to Robert that his young comrade stared +unwinking for a long time into the eye of the Sun God, though perhaps +it was only a few seconds. But his form expanded and his face was +illumined. Robert knew that the Onondaga's confidence had become +supreme, and he shared in it. + +The hunter and Tayoga kept the watch after a while, and young Lennox +was free to wander about the crest as he wished. He examined carefully +the three sides they had left unguarded, but was convinced that no +warrior, no matter how skillful and tenacious, could climb up there. +Then he wandered back toward the sentinels, and, sitting down under a +tree, began to study the distant slopes across the gorge. + +He saw the warriors gather by-and-by in a deep recess out of rifle +shot, light a fire and begin to cook great quantities of game, as +if they meant to stay there and keep the siege until doomsday, if +necessary. He saw the gigantic figure of Tandakora approach the fire, +eat voraciously for a while and then go away. After him came a white +man in French uniform. He thought at first it was St. Luc and his +heart beat hard, but he was able to discern presently that it was an +officer not much older than himself, in a uniform of white faced with +violet and a black, three-cornered hat. Finally he recognized young De +Galissonnière, whom he had met in Québec, and whom he had seen a few +days since in the French camp. + +As he looked De Galissonnière left the recess, descended into the +valley and then began to climb their slope, a white handkerchief held +aloft on the point of his small sword. Young Lennox immediately joined +the two watchers at the brink. + +"A flag of truce! Now what can he want!" he exclaimed. + +"We'll soon see," replied Willet. "He's within good hearing now, and +I'll hail him." + +He shouted in powerful tones that echoed in the gorge: + +"Below there! What is it?" + +"I have something to say that will be of great importance to you," +replied De Galissonnière. + +"Then come forward, while we remain here. We don't trust your allies." + +Robert saw the face of the young Frenchman flush, but De +Galissonnière, as if knowing the truth, and resolved not to quibble +over it, climbed steadily. When he was within twenty feet of the +crest the hunter called to him to halt, and he did so, leaning easily +against a strong bush, while the three waited eagerly to hear what he +had to say. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE GODS AT PLAY + +De Galissonnière gazed at the three faces, peering at him over the +brink, and then drew himself together jauntily. His position, perched +on the face of the cliff, was picturesque, and he made the most of it. + +"I am glad to see you again Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and Tayoga, the +brave Onondaga," he said. "It's been a long time since we met in +Québec and much water has flowed under that bridge of Avignon, of +which we French sing, but I can't see that any one of you has changed +much." + +"Nor you," said Robert, catching his tone and acting as spokesman +for the three. "The circumstances are unusual, Captain Louis de +Galissonnière, and I'm sorry I can't invite you to come up on our +crest, but it wouldn't be military to let you have a look at our +fortifications." + +"I understand, and I do very well where I am. I wish to say first that +I am sorry to see you in such a plight." + +"And we, Captain, regret to find you allied with such a savage as +Tandakora." + +A quick flush passed over the young Frenchman's face, but he made no +other sign. + +"In war one cannot always choose," he replied. "I have come to receive +your surrender, and I warn you very earnestly that it will be wise for +you to tender it. The Indians have lost one man already and they are +inflamed. If they lose more I might not be able to control them." + +"And if we yield ourselves you pledge us our lives, a transfer in +safety to Canada where we are to remain as prisoners of war, until +such time as we may be exchanged?" + +"All that I promise, and gladly." + +"You're sure, Captain de Galissonnière, that you can carry out the +conditions?" + +"Absolutely sure. You are surrounded here on the peak, and you cannot +get away. All we have to do is to keep the siege." + +"That is true, but while you can wait so can we." + +"But we have plenty of water, and you have none." + +"You would urge us again to surrender on the ground that it would be +the utmost wisdom for us to do so?" + +"It goes without saying, Mr. Lennox." + +"Then, that being the case, we decline." + +De Galissonnière looked up in astonishment at the young face that +gazed down at him. The answer he had expected was quite the reverse. + +"You mean that you refuse?" he exclaimed. + +"It is just what I meant." + +"May I ask why, when you are in such a hopeless position?" + +"Tayoga, Mr. Willet and I wish to see how long we can endure the pangs +of thirst without total collapse. We've had quite a difference on the +subject. Tayoga says ten days, Mr. Willet twelve days, but I think we +can stand it a full two weeks." + +De Galissonnière frowned. + +"You are frivolous, Mr. Lennox," he said, "and this is not a time for +light talk. I don't know what you mean, but it seems to me you don't +appreciate the dire nature of your peril. I liked you and your +comrades when I met you in Québec and I do not wish to see you perish +at the hands of the savages. That is why I have climbed up here to +make you this offer, which I have wrung from the reluctant Tandakora. +It was he who assured me that the besieged were you. It pains me that +you see fit to reject it." + +"I know it was made out of a good heart," said Robert, seriously, "and +we thank you for the impulse that brought you here. Some day we may be +able to repay it, but we decline because there are always chances. You +know, Captain, that while we have life we always have hope. We may yet +escape." + +"I do not see wherein it is possible," said the young Frenchman, with +actual reluctance in his tone. "But it is for you to decide what you +wish to do. Farewell." + +"Farewell, Captain de Galissonnière," said Robert, with the utmost +sincerity. "I hope no bullet of ours will touch you." + +The captain made a courteous gesture of good-by and slowly descended +the slope, disappearing among the bushes in the gorge, whence came a +fierce and joyous shout. + +"That was the cry of the savages when he told them our answer," said +Willet. "They don't want us to surrender. They think that by-and-by +we'll fall into their hands through exhaustion, and then they can work +their will upon us." + +"They don't know about that fountain, that pure, blessed fountain," +said Robert, "the finest fountain that gushes out anywhere in this +northern wilderness, the fountain that Tayoga's Areskoui has put here +for our especial benefit." + +His heart had become very light and, as usual when his optimism was +at its height, words gushed forth. Water, and their ability to get it +whenever they wanted it, was the key to everything, and he painted +their situation in such bright colors that his two comrades could not +keep from sharing his enthusiasm. + +"Truly, Dagaeoga did not receive the gift of words in vain," said +Tayoga. "Golden speech flows from him, and it lifts up the minds +of those who hear. Manitou finds a use for everybody, even for the +orator." + +"Though it was a hard task, even for Manitou," laughed Robert. + +They watched the whole afternoon without any demonstration from the +enemy--they expected none--and toward evening the Onondaga, who was +gazing into the north, announced a dark shadow on the horizon. + +"What is it?" asked Robert. "A cloud? I hope we won't have another +storm." + +"It is no cloud," replied Tayoga. "It is something else that moves +very fast, and it comes in our direction. A little longer and I can +tell what it is. Now I see; it is a flight of wild pigeons, a great +flock, hundreds of thousands, and millions, going south to escape the +winter." + +"We've seen such flights often." + +"So we have, but this is coming straight toward us, and I have a great +thought, Dagaeoga. Areskoui has not only forgiven us for our unknown +sin--perhaps of omission--but he has also decided to put help in our +way, if we will use it. You see many dwarf trees at the southern edge +of the crest, and I believe that by dark they will be covered with +pigeons, stopping for the night." + +"And some of them will stop for our benefit, though we have bear meat +too! I see, Tayoga." + +Robert watched the flying cloud, which had grown larger and blacker, +and then he saw that Tayoga was right. It was an immense flock of wild +pigeons, and, as the twilight fell, they covered the trees upon their +crest so thickly that the boughs bent beneath them. Young Lennox and +the Onondaga killed as many as they wished with sticks, and soon, fat +and juicy, they were broiling over the coals. + +"Tandakora will guess that the pigeons have fed us," said Robert, "and +he will not like it, but he will yet know nothing about the water." + +They climbed down in turn in the darkness and took a drink, and +Robert, who explored a little, found many vines loaded with wild +grapes, ripe and rich, which made a splendid dessert. Then he took +a number of the smaller but very tough stems, and knotting them +together, with the assistance of Tayoga ran a strong rope from the +crest down to the fountain, thus greatly easing the descent for water +and the return. + +"Now we can take two drinks where we took one before," he said +triumphantly when the task was finished. "If you have your water there +is nothing like making it easy to be reached. Moreover, while it was +safe for an agile fellow like me, you and Dave, Tayoga, being stiff +and clumsy, might have tumbled down the mountain and then I should +have been lonesome." + +Willet, who had been keeping the watch alone, was inclined to the +belief that they might expect an attack in the night, if it should +prove to be very dark. He felt able, however, should such an attempt +come, to detect the advance of the savages, either by sight or +hearing, especially the latter, ear in such cases generally informing +him earlier than eye. But as neither Robert nor Tayoga was busy they +joined him, and all three sat near the brink with their rifles across +their knees, and their pistols loosened in their belts, ready for +their foes should they come in numbers. + +They talked a while in low tones, and then fell silent. The night had +come, starless and moonless, favorable to the designs of Tandakora, +but they felt intense satisfaction, nevertheless. It was partly +physical. Robert's making of an easy road to the water, the coming of +the pigeons, to be eaten, apparently sent by Areskoui, and the ease +with which they believed they could hold their lofty fortress, +combined to produce a victorious state of mind. Robert looked over the +brink once or twice at the steep slope, and he felt that the warriors +would, in truth, be taking a mighty risk, if they came up that steep +path against the three. + +He and Tayoga, in the heavy darkness, depended, like Willet, chiefly +on ear. It was impossible to see to the bottom of the valley, where +the dusk had rolled up like a sea, but, as the night was still, they +felt sure they could hear anyone climbing up the peak. In order to +make themselves more comfortable they spread their blankets at the +very brink, and lay down upon them, thus being able to repose, and at +the same time watch without the risk of inviting a shot. + +Young Lennox knew that the attack, if it came at all, would not come +until late, and restraining his naturally eager and impatient temper, +he used all the patience that his strong will could summon, never +ceasing meanwhile to lend an attentive ear to every sound of the +night. He heard the wind rise, moan a little while in the gorge and +then die; he heard a fitful breeze rustle the boughs on the slopes and +then grow still, and he heard his comrades move once or twice to ease +their positions, but no other sound came to him until nearly midnight, +and then he heard the fall of a pebble on the slope, absolute proof +to one experienced as he that it had been displaced by the incautious +foot of a climbing enemy. + +The rattling of the pebble was succeeded by a long interval of +silence, and the lad understood that too. The warriors, to whom time +was nothing, fearing that suspicion had been aroused by the fall of +the pebble, would wait until it had been lulled before resuming their +advance. They would flatten themselves like lizards against the slope, +not stirring an inch. But the three were as patient as they, and while +a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest +sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a +particle. Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and +they peered cautiously over. + +They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes +about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, +whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his +fire in reserve. Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in +the darkness and pulled trigger. Shouts, the fall of bodies and the +crackling of rifles came back. A half dozen bullets, fired almost at +random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at +a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall +following at once. + +Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and +held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come. But it +did not come. Even the rage of Tandakora had had enough. His second +repulse had been bloodier than the first, and it had been proved with +the lives of his warriors that they could not storm that terrible +steep, in the face of three such redoubtable marksmen. + +Robert heard a number of pebbles rolling now, but they were made by +men descending, and the three, certain of abundant leisure, reloaded +their rifles. Their eyes told them nothing, but they were as sure as +if they had seen them that the warriors had disappeared in the sea of +darkness with which the gulf was filled. The lad breathed a long sigh +of relief. + +"You're justified in your satisfaction," said Willet. "I think it's +the last direct attack they'll make upon us. Now they'll try the slow +methods of siege and our exhaustion by thirst, and how it would make +their venom rise if they knew anything about that glorious fountain +of ours! Since it's to be a test of patience, we'd better make things +easy for ourselves. I'll sit here and watch the slope, and, as the +night is turning cold, you and Tayoga, Robert, can build a fire." + +There was a dip in the center of the crest, and in this they heaped +the fallen wood, which here as elsewhere in the wilderness was +abundant. Wood and water, two great requisites of primitive man, they +had in plenty, and had it not been for their eagerness to go forward +with their work they would have been content to stay indefinitely on +the peak. + +The fire was soon blazing cheerfully. Warriors on the opposing peaks +or crest might see it, but they did not care. No bullets from rival +heights could reach them and the light would appear to their enemies +as a beacon of defiance, a sort of challenge that was very pleasing to +Robert's soul. He basked in the glow and heat of the coals, ate bear +meat and wild pigeon for a late supper, and discoursed on the strength +of their natural fortress. + +"The peak was reared here by Areskoui for our especial benefit," he +said. "It is in every sense a tower of strength, water even being +placed in its side that we might not die of thirst." + +"And yet we cannot stay here always," said the Onondaga. "Tomorrow we +must think of a way of escape." + +"Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tayoga, you're too serious! You're +missing the pleasure of the night." + +"Dagaeoga loves to talk and he talks well. His voice is pleasant in my +ear like to the murmur of a silver brook. Perhaps he is right. Lo! the +clouds have gone, and I can see Tododaho on his star. Areskoui watches +over us by day and Tododaho by night. We are once more the favorites +of the Sun God and of the great Onondaga who went away to his +everlasting star more than four centuries ago. Again I say Dagaeoga is +right; I will enjoy the night, and let the morrow care for itself." + +He drew the folds of his blanket to his chin and stretched his length +before the fire. Having made up his mind to be satisfied, Tayoga would +let nothing interfere with such a laudable purpose. Soon he slept +peacefully. + +"You might follow him," said Willet. + +"I don't think I can do it now," said Robert. "I've a restless +spirit." + +"Then wander about the peak, and I'll take up my old place at the edge +of the slope." + +Robert went back to the far side, where he had stretched his rope of +grape vines down to the spring, and, craving their cool, fresh taste, +he ate more of the grapes. He noticed then that they were uncommonly +plentiful. All along the cliff they trailed in great, rich clusters, +black and glossy, fairly asking to be eaten. In places the vines +hung in perfect mazes, and he looked at them questioningly. Then +the thought came to him and he wondered why it had been so slow of +arrival. He returned to Willet and said: + +"I don't think you need watch any longer here, Dave." + +"Why?" was the hunter's astonished reply. + +"Because we're going to leave the mountain." + +"Leave the mountain! It's more likely, Robert, that your prudence has +left you. If we went down the slope we'd go squarely into the horde, +and then it would be a painful and lingering end for us." + +"I don't mean the slope. We're to go down the other side of the +cliff." + +"Except here and near the bottom the mountain is as steep everywhere +as the side of a house. The only way for us to get down is to fall +down and then we'd stop too quick." + +"We don't have to fall down, we'll climb down." + +"Can't be done, Robert, my boy. There's not enough bushes." + +"We don't need bushes, there are miles of grape vines as strong as +leather. All we have to do is to knot them together securely and our +rope is ready. If we eased our way to the spring with vines then we +can finish the journey to the bottom of the cliff with them." + +The hunter's gaze met that of the lad, and it was full of approval. + +"I believe you've found the way, Robert," said Willet. "Wake Tayoga +and see what he thinks." + +The Onondaga received the proposal with enthusiasm, and he made the +further suggestion that they build high the fire for the sake of +deceiving the besiegers. + +"And suppose we prop up two or three pieces of fallen tree trunk +before it," added Robert. "Warriors watching on the opposite slopes +will take them for our figures and will not dream that we're +attempting to escape." + +That idea, too, was adopted, and in a few minutes the fire was blazing +and roaring, while a stream of sparks drifted up merrily from it to be +lost in the dusk. Near it the fragments of tree trunks set erect would +pass easily, at a great distance and in the dark, for human beings. +Then, while Willet watched, Robert and Tayoga knotted the vines with +quick and dextrous hands, throwing the cable over a bough, and trying +every knot with their double weight. A full two hours they toiled and +then they exulted. + +"It will reach from the clump of bushes about the fountain to the next +clump below, which is low down," said Robert, "and from there we can +descend without help." + +They called Willet, and the three, leaving the crest which had been +such a refuge for them and which they had defended so well, descended +to the fountain. At that point they secured their cable with infinite +care to the largest of the dwarf trees and let it drop over across a +bare space to the next clump of bushes below, a distance that seemed +very great, it was so steep. Robert claimed the honor of the first +descent, but it was finally conceded to Tayoga, who was a trifle +lighter. + +The Onondaga fastened securely upon his back his rifle and his pack +containing food, and then, grasping the cable firmly with both hands, +he began to go down, while his friends watched with great anxiety. He +was not obliged to swing clear his whole weight, but was able to brace +his feet against the cliff. Thus he steadied the vines, but Robert and +Willet nevertheless breathed great sighs of relief, when he reached +the bushes below, and detached himself from the cable. + +"It is safe," he called back. + +Robert went next and Willet followed. When the three were in the +bushes, clinging to their tough and wiry strength, they found that the +difficulties, as they invariably do, had decreased. Below them the +slope was not so steep by any means, and, by holding to the rocky +outcrops and scant bushes, they could make the full descent of the +mountain. While they rested for a little space where they were, Robert +suddenly began to laugh. + +"Is Dagaeoga rejoicing so soon?" asked Tayoga + +"Why shouldn't I laugh," replied Robert, "when we have such a good +jest?" + +"What jest? I see none." + +"Why, to think of Tandakora sitting at the foot of our peak and +watching there three or four days, waiting all the time for us to die +of hunger and thirst, and we far to the south. At least he'll see that +the mountain doesn't get away, and Tandakora, I take it, has small +sense of humor. When he penetrates the full measure of the joke he'll +love us none the less. Perhaps, though, De Galissonnière will not +mourn, because he knows that if we were taken after a siege he could +not save us from the cruelty of the savages." + +The hunter and the Onondaga were forced to laugh a little with him, +and then, rested thoroughly, they resumed the descent, leaving their +cable to tell its own tale, later on. The rest of the slope, although +possible, was slow and painful, testing their strength and skill to +the utmost, but they triumphed over everything and before day were in +a gorge, with the entire height of the peak towering above them and +directly between them and their enemies. Here they flung themselves +on the ground and rested until day, when they began a rapid flight +southward, curving about among the peaks, as the easiest way led them. + +The air rapidly grew warmer, showing that the sudden winter had come +only on the high mountains, and that autumn yet lingered on the lower +levels. The gorgeous reds and yellows and browns and vivid shades +between returned, but there was a haze in the air and the west was +dusky. + +"Storm will come again before night," said Tayoga. + +"I think so too," said Willet, "and as I've no mind to be beaten about +by it, suppose we build a spruce shelter in the gorge here and wait +until it passes." + +The two lads were more than willing, feeling that the chance of +pursuit had passed for a long time at least, and they set to work with +their sharp hatchets, rapidly making a crude but secure wickiup, as +usual against the rocky side of a hill. Before the task was done the +sky darkened much more, and far in the west thunder muttered. + +"It's rolling down a gorge," said Robert, "and hark! you can hear it +also in the south." + +From a point, far distant from the first, came a like rumble, and, +after a few moments of silence, a third rumble was heard to the east. +Silence again and then the far rumble came from the south. + +"That's odd," said Robert. "It isn't often that you hear thunder on +all sides of you." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Tayoga, whose face bore a rapt and extraordinary +look. The four rumbles again went around the horizon, coming from one +point after the other in turn. + +"It is no ordinary thunder," said the Onondaga in a tone of deep +conviction. + +"What is it, then?" asked Robert. + +"It is Manitou, Areskoui, Tododaho and Hayowentha talking together. +That is why we have the thunder north, east, south and west. Hear +their voices carrying all through the heavens!" + +"Which is Manitou?" + +"That I cannot tell. But the great gods talk, one with another, though +what they say is not for us to know. It is not right that mere mortals +like ourselves should understand them, when they speak across infinite +space." + +"It may be that you're right, Tayoga," said Willet. + +The three did not yet go into the spruce shelter, because, contrary to +the signs, there was no rain. The wind moaned heavily and thick black +clouds swept up in an almost continuous procession from the western +horizon, but they did not let a drop fall. The thunder at the four +points of the horizon went on, the reports moving from north to east, +and thence to south and west, and then around and around, always in +the same direction. After every crash there was a long rumble in the +gorges until the next crash came again. Now and then lightning flared. + +"It is not a storm after all," said the Onondaga, "or, at least, if a +storm should come it will not be until after night is at hand, when +the great gods are through talking. Listen to the heavy booming, +always like the sound of a thousand big guns at one time. Now the +lightning grows and burns until it is at a white heat. The great gods +not only talk, but they are at play. They hurl thunderbolts through +infinite space, and watch them fall. Then they send thunder rumbling +through our mountains, and the sound is as soft to them as a whisper +to us." + +"Your idea is pretty sound, Tayoga," said Willet, who had imbibed more +than a little of the Iroquois philosophy, "and it does look as if the +gods were at play because there is so much thunder and lightning and +no rain. Look at that flash on the mountain toward the east! I think +it struck. Yes, there goes a tree! When the gods play among the peaks +it's just as well for us to stay down here in the gorge." + +"But the crashes still run regularly from north to east and on +around," said Robert. "I suppose that when they finish talking, the +rain will come, and we'll have plenty of need for our spruce shelter." + +The deep rumbling continued all through the rest of the afternoon. +A dusk as of twilight arrived long before sunset, but it was of an +unusually dull, grayish hue, and it affected Robert as if he were +breathing an air surcharged with gunpowder. It colored and intensified +everything. The peaks and ridges rose to greater heights, the gorges +and valleys were deeper, the reports of the thunder, extremely heavy, +in fact, were doubled and tripled in fancy; all that Tayoga had said +about the play of the gods was true. Tododaho, the great Onondaga, +spoke across the void to Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, and Areskoui, +the Sun God, conversed with Manitou, the All Powerful, Himself. + +The imaginative lad felt awe but no fear. The gods at play in the +heavens would not condescend to harm a humble mortal like himself and +it was an actual pleasure because he was there to hear them. Just +before the invisible sun went over the rim of the horizon, a brilliant +red light shot for a minute or two from the west through the gray +haze, and fell on the faces of the three, sitting in silence before +their spruce shelter. + +"It is Areskoui throwing off his most brilliant beams before he goes," +said Tayoga. "Now I think the play will soon be over, and we may look +for the rain." + +The crashes of thunder increased swiftly and greatly in violence, and +then, as the Onondaga had predicted, ceased abruptly. The silence that +followed was so heavy that it was oppressive. No current of air was +moving anywhere. Not a leaf stirred. The grayish haze became thicker +and every ridge and peak was hidden. Presently a sound like a sigh +came down the gorge, but it soon grew. + +"We'll go inside," said Tayoga, "because the deluge is at hand." + +They crowded themselves into their crude little hut, and in five +minutes the flood was upon them, pouring with such violence that some +of it forced its way through the hasty thatch, but they were able +to protect themselves with their blankets, and they slept the night +through in a fair degree of comfort. + +In the morning they saw a world washed clean, bright and shining, and +they breathed an autumnal air wonderful in its purity. Feeling safe +now from pursuit, they were no longer eager to flee. A brief council +of three decided that they would hang once more on the French and +Indian flank. It had been their purpose to discover what was intended +by the formidable array they had seen, and it was their purpose yet. + +They did not go back on their path, but they turned eastward into a +land of little and beautiful lakes, through which one of the great +Indian trails from the northwest passed, and made a hidden camp +near the shore of a sheet of water about a mile square, set in the +mountains like a gem. They had method in locating here, as the trail +ran through a gorge less than half a mile to the east of their camp, +and they had an idea that the spy, Garay, might pass that way, two of +them always abiding by the trail, while the third remained in their +secluded camp or hunted game. Willet shot a deer and Tayoga brought +down a rare wild turkey, while Robert caught some wonderful lake +trout. So they had plenty of food, and they were content to wait. + +They were sure that Garay had not yet gone, as the storms that had +threatened them would certainly have delayed his departure, and +neither the hunter nor the Onondaga could discover any traces of +footsteps. Fortunately the air continued to turn warmer and the lower +country in which they now were had all the aspects of Indian summer. +Robert, shaken a little perhaps by the great hardships and dangers +through which he had passed, though he may not have realized at the +time the weight upon his nerves, recovered quickly, and, as usual, +passed, with the rebound, to the heights of optimism. + +"What do you expect to get from Garay?" he asked Willet as he changed +places with him on the trail. + +"I'm not sure," replied the hunter, "but if we catch him we'll find +something. We've got to take our bird first, and then we'll see. He +went north and west with a message, and that being the case he's bound +to take one back. I don't think Garay is a first-class woodsman and we +may be able to seize him." + +Robert was pleased with the idea of the hunted turning into the +hunters, and he and Tayoga now did most of the watching along the +trail, a watch that was not relaxed either by day or by night. On +the sixth night the two youths were together, and Tayoga thought he +discerned a faint light to the north. + +"It may be a low star shining over a hill," said Robert. + +"I think it is the glow from a small camp fire," said the Onondaga. + +"It's a question that's decided easily." + +"You mean we'll stalk it, star or fire, whichever it may be?" + +"That is what we're here for, Tayoga." + +They began an exceedingly cautious advance toward the light, and it +soon became evident that it was a fire, though, as Tayoga had said, a +small one, set in a little valley and almost hidden by the surrounding +foliage. Now they redoubled their caution, using every forest art to +make a silent approach, as they might find a band of warriors around +the blaze, and they did not wish to walk with open eyes into any +such deadly trap. Their delight was great when they saw only one man +crouched over the coals in a sitting posture, his head bent over his +knees; so that, in effect, only his back was visible, but they knew +him at once. It was Garay. + +The heart of young Lennox flamed with anger and triumph. Here was the +fellow who had tried to take his life in Albany, and, if he wished +revenge, the moment was full of opportunity. Yet he could never fire +at a man's back, and it was their cue, moreover, to take him alive. +Garay's rifle was leaning against a log, six or eight feet from him, +and his attitude indicated that he might be asleep. His clothing was +stained and torn, and he bore all the signs of a long journey and +extreme weariness. + +"See what it is to come into the forest and not be master of all its +secrets," whispered Tayoga. "Garay is the messenger of Onontio (the +Governor General of Canada) and Tandakora, and yet he sleeps, when +those who oppose him are abroad." + +"A man has to sleep some time or other," said Robert, "or at least a +white man must. We're not all like an Iroquois; we can't stay awake +forever if need be." + +"If one goes to the land of Tarenyawagon when his enemies are at hand +he must pay the price, Dagaeoga, and now the price that Garay is going +to pay will be a high one. Surely Manitou has delivered him, helpless, +into our hands. Come, we will go closer." + +They crept through the bushes until they could have reached out and +touched the spy with the muzzles of their rifles, and still he did not +stir. Into that heavy and weary brain, plunged into dulled slumbers, +entered no thought of a stalking foe. The fire sank and the bent +back sagged a little lower. Garay had traveled hard and long. He was +anxious to get back to Albany with what he knew, and he felt sure that +the northern forests contained only friends. He had built his fire +without apprehension, and sleep had overtaken him quickly. + +A fox stirred in the thicket beyond the fire and looked suspiciously +at the coals and the still figure beyond them. He did not see the +other two figures in the bushes but his animosity as well as his +suspicion was aroused. He edged a little nearer, and then a slight +sound in the thicket caused him to creep back. But he was an inquiring +fox, and, although he buried himself under a bush, he still looked, +staring with sharp, intent eyes. + +He saw a shadow glide from the thicket, pick up the rifle of Garay +which leaned against the fallen log, and then glide back, soundless. +The curiosity of the fox now prevailed over his suspicion. The shadow +had not menaced him, and his vulpine intelligence told him that he was +not concerned in the drama now about to unfold itself. He was merely a +spectator, and, as he looked, he saw the shadow glide back and crouch +beside the sleeping man. Then a second shadow came and crouched on the +other side. + +What the fox saw was the approach of Robert and Tayoga, whom some +whimsical humor had seized. They intended to make the surprise +complete and Robert, with a memory of the treacherous shot in Albany, +was willing also to fill the soul of the spy with terror. Tayoga +adroitly removed the pistol and knife from the belt of Garay, and +Robert touched him lightly on the shoulder. Still he did not stir, and +then the youth brought his hand down heavily. + +Garay uttered the sigh of one who comes reluctantly from the land of +sleep and who would have gone back through the portals which were only +half opened, but Robert brought his hand down again, good and hard. +Then his eyes flew open and he saw the calm face beside him, and the +calm eyes less than a foot away, staring straight into his own. +It must be an evil dream, he thought at first, but it had all the +semblance of reality, and, when he turned his head in fear, he saw +another face on the other side of him, carved in red bronze, it too +only a foot away and staring at him in stern accusation. + +Then all the faculties of Garay, spy and attempted assassin, leaped +into life, and he uttered a yell of terror, springing to his feet, as +if he had been propelled by a galvanic battery. Strong hands, seizing +him on either side, pulled him down again and the voice of Tayoga, of +the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of +the Hodenosaunee said insinuatingly in his ear: + +"Sit down, Achille Garay! Here are two who wish to talk with you!" + +He fell back heavily and his soul froze within him, as he recognized +the faces. His figure sagged, his eyes puffed out, and he waited in +silent terror. + +"I see that you recognize us, Achille Garay," said Robert, whose +whimsical humor was still upon him. "You'll recall that shot in +Albany. Perhaps you did not expect to meet my friend and me here in +the heart of the northern forests, but here we are. What have you to +say for yourself?" + +Garay strove to speak, but the half formed words died on his lips. + +"We wish explanations about that little affair in Albany," continued +his merciless interlocutor, "and perhaps there is no better time than +the present. Again I repeat, what have you to say? And you have also +been in the French and Indian camp. You bore a message to St. Luc and +Tandakora and beyond a doubt you bear another back to somebody. We +want to know about that too. Oh, we want to know about many things!" + +"I have no message," stammered Garay. + +"Your word is not good. We shall find methods of making you talk. You +have been among the Indians and you ought to know something about +these methods. But first I must lecture you on your lack of woodcraft. +It is exceedingly unwise to build a fire in the wilderness and go +to sleep beside it, unless there is someone with you to watch. I'm +ashamed of you, Monsieur Garay, to have neglected such an elementary +lesson. It made your capture easy, so ridiculously easy that it +lacked piquancy and interest. Tayoga and I were not able to give our +faculties and strength the healthy exercise they need. Come now, are +you ready to walk?" + +"What are you going to do with me?" asked Garay in French, which both +of his captors understood and spoke. + +"We haven't decided upon that," replied Robert maliciously, "but +whatever it is we'll make it varied and lively. It may please you +to know that we've been waiting several days for you, but we scarce +thought you'd go to sleep squarely in the trail, just where we'd be +sure to see you. Stand up now and march like a man, ready to meet any +fate. Fortune has turned against you, but you still have the chance to +show your Spartan courage and endurance." + +"The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a +heroic soul," said Tayoga solemnly. + +Garay shivered. + +"You'll save me from torture?" he said to Robert. + +Young Lennox shook his head. + +"I'd do so if it were left to me," he said, "but my friend, Tayoga, +has a hard heart. In such matters as these he will not let me have my +way. He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation. Also, David +Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for +extreme measures. You'll soon face him. Now, march straight to the +right!" + +Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in +the direction indicated. Close behind him came the avenging two. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +TAMING A SPY + +Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation. It fairly permeated his +system. The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the +greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived +him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum +into their hands. Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned +toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of +mood--that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although +the spy might take a different view of the matter. The triumph, and +the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery +speech. + +"Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend," he said. "You are surprised that +we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with +us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then +proved too swift for Tayoga. That's a little matter we must look into +some time soon. I don't understand why you wished me to leave the +world prematurely. It must surely have been in the interest of someone +else, because I had never heard of you before in my life. But we'll +pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to +the fore. It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the +middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, +and wait for us to come. It reflects little credit, however, on your +skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we're not +going to let you stay out in the forest after dark." + +Garay turned a frightened look upon him. It was mention of the +bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul. But Robert, +ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him. + +"As I told you," he continued, "Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy +with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone. We saw you going +to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your +way back. We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you +in merciless fashion. What he intends to do with you is more than I've +been able to determine. Ah, he comes now!" + +The parting bushes disclosed a tall figure, rifle ready, and Robert +called cheerily: + +"Here we are, Dave, back again, and we bring with us a welcome guest. +Monsieur Achille Garay was lost in the forest, and, taking pity on +him, we've brought him in to share our hospitality. Mr. David Willet, +Monsieur Achille Garay of everywhere." + +Willet smiled grimly and led the way back to the spruce shelter. To +Garay's frightened eyes he bore out fully Robert's description. + +"You lads seem to have taken him without trouble," he said. "You've +done well. Sit down, Garay, on that log; we've business with you." + +Garay obeyed. + +"Now," said the hunter, "what message did you take to St. Luc and the +French and Indian force?" + +The man was silent. Evidently he was gathering together the shreds of +his courage, as his back stiffened. Willet observed him shrewdly. + +"You don't choose to answer," he said. "Well, we'll find a way to make +you later on. But the message you carried was not so important as the +message you're taking back. It's about you, somewhere. Hand over the +dispatch." + +"I've no dispatch," said Garay sullenly. + +"Oh, yes, you have! A man like you wouldn't be making such a long and +dangerous journey into the high mountains and back again for nothing. +Come, Garay, your letter!" + +The spy was silent. + +"Search him, lads!" said Willet. + +Garay recoiled, but when the hunter threatened him with his pistol +he submitted to the dextrous hands of Robert and Tayoga. They went +through all his pockets, and then they made him remove his clothing +piece by piece, while they thrust the points of their knives through +the lining for concealed documents. But the steel touched nothing. +Then they searched his heavy moccasins, and even pulled the soles +loose, but no papers were disclosed. There was nowhere else to look +and the capture had brought no reward. + +"He doesn't seem to have anything," said Robert. + +"He must have! He is bound to have!" said the hunter. + +"You have had your look," said Garay, a note of triumph showing in +his voice, "and you have failed. I bear no message because I am no +messenger. I am a Frenchman, it is true, but I have no part in this +war. I am not a soldier or a scout. You should let me go." + +"But that bullet in Albany." + +"I did not fire it. It was someone else. You have made a mistake." + +"We've made no mistake," said the hunter. "We know what you are. We +know, too, that a dispatch of great importance is about you somewhere. +It is foolish to think otherwise, and we mean to have it." + +"I carry no dispatch," repeated Garay in his sullen, obstinate tones. + +"We mean that you shall give it to us," said the hunter, "and soon you +will be glad to do so." + +Robert glanced at him, but Willet did not reveal his meaning. It was +impossible to tell what course he meant to take, and the two lads were +willing to let the event disclose itself. The same sardonic humor that +had taken possession of Robert seemed to lay hold of the older man +also. + +"Since you're to be our guest for a while, Monsieur Garay," he said, +"we'll give you our finest room. You'll sleep in the spruce shelter, +while we spread our blankets outside. But lest you do harm to +yourself, lest you take into your head some foolish notion to commit +suicide, we'll have to bind you. Tayoga can do it in such a manner +that the thongs will cause you no pain. You'll really admire his +wonderful skill." + +The Onondaga bound Garay securely with strips, cut from the prisoner's +own clothing, and they left him lying within the spruce shelter. At +dawn the next day Willet awoke the captive, who had fallen into a +troubled slumber. + +"Your letter," he said. "We want it." + +"I have no letter," replied Garay stubbornly. + +"We shall ask you for it once every two hours, and the time will come +when you'll be glad to give it to us." + +Then he turned to the lads and said they would have the finest +breakfast in months to celebrate the good progress of their work. + +Robert built up a splendid fire, and, taking their time about it, they +broiled bear meat, strips of the deer they had killed and portions of +wild pigeon and the rare wild turkey. Varied odors, all appetizing, +and the keen, autumnal air gave them an appetite equal to anything. +Yet Willet lingered long, seeing that everything was exactly right +before he gave the word to partake, and then they remained yet +another good while over the feast, getting the utmost relish out of +everything. When they finally rose from their seats on the logs, two +hours had passed since Willet had awakened Garay and he went back to +him. + +"Your letter?" he said. + +"I have no letter," replied Garay, "but I'm very hungry. Let me have +my breakfast." + +"Your letter?" + +"I've told you again and again that I've no letter." + +"It's now about 8:30 o'clock; at half past ten I'll ask you for it +again." + +He went back to the two lads and helped them to put out the fire. +Garay set up a cry for food, and then began to threaten them with the +vengeance of the Indians, but they paid no attention to him. At half +past ten as indicated by the sun, Willet returned to him. + +"The letter?" he said. + +"How many times am I to tell you that I have no letter?" + +"Very well. At half past twelve I shall ask for it again." + +At half past twelve Garay returned the same answer, and then the +three ate their noonday meal, which, like the breakfast, was rich and +luscious. Once more the savory odors of bear, deer, wild turkey and +wild pigeon filled the forest, and Garay, lying in the doorway of the +hut, where he could see, and where the splendid aroma reached his +nostrils, writhed in his bonds, but still held fast to his resolution. + +Robert said nothing, but the sardonic humor of both the Onondaga and +the hunter was well to the fore. Holding a juicy bear steak in +his hand, Tayoga walked over to the helpless spy and examined him +critically. + +"Too fat," he said judicially, "much too fat for those who would roam +the forest. Woodsmen, scouts and runners should be lean. It burdens +them to carry weight. And you, Achille Garay, will be much better off, +if you drop twenty pounds." + +"Twenty pounds, Tayoga!" exclaimed Willet, who had joined him, a whole +roasted pigeon in his hands. "How can you make such an underestimate! +Our rotund Monsieur would be far more graceful and far more healthy +if he dropped forty pounds! And it behooves us, his trainers and +physicians, to see that he drops 'em. Then he will go back to Albany +and to his good friend, Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, a far handsomer man +than he was when he left. It may be that he'll be so much improved +that Mynheer Hendrik will not know him. Truly, Tayoga, this wild +pigeon has a most savory taste! When wild pigeon is well cooked and +the air of the forest has sharpened your appetite to a knife edge +nothing is finer." + +"But it is no better than the tender steak of young bear," said +Tayoga, with all the inflections of a gourmand. "The people of my +nation and of all the Indian nations have always loved bear. It is +tenderer even than venison and it contains more juices. For the hungry +man nothing is superior to the taste or for the building up of sinews +and muscles than the steak of fat young bear." + +Garay writhed again in his bonds, and closed his eyes that he might +shut away the vision of the two. Robert was forced to smile. At half +past two, as he judged it to be by the sun, Willet said to Garay once +more: + +"The papers, Monsieur Achille." + +But Garay, sullen and obstinate, refused to reply. The hunter did not +repeat the question then, but went back to the fire, whistling gayly a +light tune. The three were spending the day in homely toil, polishing +their weapons, cleaning their clothing, and making the numerous little +repairs, necessary after a prolonged and arduous campaign. They were +very cheerful about it, too. Why shouldn't they be? Both Tayoga and +the hunter had scouted in wide circles about the camp, and had seen +that there was no danger. For a vast distance they and their prisoner +were alone in the forest. So, they luxuriated and with abundance of +appetizing food made up for their long period of short commons. + +At half past four Willet repeated his question, but the lips of the +spy remained tightly closed. + +"Remember that I'm not urging you," said the hunter, politely. "I'm a +believer in personal independence and I like people to do what they +want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else. So I +tell you to think it over. We've plenty of time. We can stay here a +week, two weeks, if need be. We'd rather you felt sure you were right +before you made up your mind. Then you wouldn't be remorseful about +any mistake." + +"A wise man meditates long before he speaks," said Tayoga, "and it +follows then that our Achille Garay is very wise. He knows, too, that +his figure is improving already. He has lost at least five pounds." + +"Nearer eight I sum it up, Tayoga," said Willet. "The improvement is +very marked." + +"I think you are right, Great Bear. Eight it is and you also speak +truly about the improvement. If our Monsieur Garay were able to stand +up and walk he would be much more graceful than he was, when he so +kindly marched into our guiding hands." + +"Don't pay him too many compliments, Tayoga. They'll prove trying to +a modest man. Come away, now. Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next +two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon +such a communion?" + +"The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great +Bear. For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts." + +At half past six came the question, "Your papers?" once more, and +Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled. +Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads +prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild +grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes +being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to +the eye as well as to the taste. + +"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have +in me just a trace of the epicure. I find, despite my years in the +wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of +decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands." + +"In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a +banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to +it that the eye also may have its feast. It is not a weakness, but an +excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations." + +They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the +fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation. The +ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter +came frequently to the ears of Garay. At half past eight the question, +grown deadly by repetition, was asked, and, when only a curse came, +Willet said: + +"As it is night I'll ask you, Achille Garay, for your papers only +once every four hours. That is the interval at which we'll change our +guard, and we don't wish, either, to disturb you many times in your +pleasant slumbers. It would not be right to call a man back too often +from the land of Tarenyawagon, who, you may know, is the Iroquois +sender of dreams." + +Garay, whom they had now laid tenderly upon the floor of the hut, +turned his face away, and Willet went back to the fire, humming in a +pleased fashion to himself. At half past twelve he awoke Garay from +his uneasy sleep and propounded to him his dreadful query, grown +terrifying by its continual iteration. At half past four Tayoga asked +it, and it was not necessary then to awake Garay. He had not slept +since half past twelve. He snarled at the Iroquois, and then sank back +on the blanket that they had kindly placed for him. Tayoga, his bronze +face expressing nothing, went back to his watch by the fire. + +Breakfast was cooked by Robert and Willet, and again it was luscious +and varied. Robert had risen early and he caught several of the fine +lake trout that he broiled delicately over the coals. He had +also gathered grapes fresh with the morning dew, and wonderfully +appetizing, and some of the best of the nuts were left over. Bear, +deer, venison and turkey they still had in abundance. + +The morning itself was the finest they had encountered so far. Much +snow had fallen in the high mountains, but winter had not touched the +earth here. The deep colors of the leaves, moved by the light wind, +shifted and changed like a prism. The glorious haze of Indian summer +hung over everything like a veil of finest gauze. The air was +surcharged with vitality and life. It was pleasant merely to sit and +breathe at such a time. + +"I've always claimed," said Robert, as he passed a beautifully broiled +trout to Tayoga and another to the hunter, "that I can cook fish +better than either of you. Dave, I freely admit, can surpass me in the +matter of venison and Tayoga is a finer hand with bear than I am, but +I'm a specialist with fish, be it salmon, or trout, or salmon trout, +or perch or pickerel or what not." + +"Your boast is justified, in very truth, Robert," said Willet. "I've +known none other who can prepare a fish with as much tenderness and +perfection as you. I suppose 'tis born in you, but you have a way of +preserving the juices and savors which defies description and which is +beyond praise. 'Tis worth going hungry a long while to put one's tooth +into so delicate a morsel as this salmon trout, and 'tis a great pity, +too, that our guest, Monsieur Achille Garay, will not join us, when +we've an abundance so great and a variety so rich." + +The wretched spy and intermediary could hear every word they said, and +Robert fell silent, but the hunter and the Onondaga talked freely and +with abounding zest. + +"'Tis a painful thing," said Willet, "to offer hospitality and to +have it refused. Monsieur Garay knows that he would be welcome at our +board, and yet he will not come. I fear, Robert, that you have cooked +too many of these superlative fish, and that they must even go to +waste, which is a sin. They would make an admirable beginning for our +guest's breakfast, if he would but consent to join us." + +"It is told by the wise old sachems of the great League," said Tayoga, +"that warriors have gone many days without food, when plenty of it +was ready for their taking, merely to test their strength of body and +will. Their sufferings were acute and terrible. Their flesh wasted +away, their muscles became limp and weak, their sight failed, pain +stabbed them with a thousand needles, but they would not yield and +touch sustenance before the time appointed." + +"I've heard of many such cases, Tayoga, and I've seen some, but it was +always warriors who were doing the fasting. I doubt whether white men +could stand it so long, and 'tis quite sure they would suffer more. +About the third day 'twould be as bad as being tied to the stake in the +middle of the flames." + +"Great Bear speaks the truth, as he always does. No white man can +stand it. If he tried it his sufferings would be beyond anything of +which he might dream." + +A groan burst suddenly from the wretched Garay. The hunter and the +Onondaga looked at each other and their eyes expressed astonishment. + +"Did you hear a sound in the thicket?" asked Willet. + +"I think it came from the boughs overhead," said Tayoga. + +"I could have sworn 'twas the growl of a bear." + +"To me it sounded like the croak of a crow." + +"After all, we may have heard nothing. Imagination plays strange +tricks with us." + +"It is true, Great Bear. We hear queer sounds when there are no sounds +at all. The air is full of spirits, and now and then they have sport +with us." + +A second groan burst from Garay, now more wretched than ever. + +"I heard it again!" exclaimed the hunter. "'Tis surely the growl of +a bear in the bush! The sound was like that of an angry wild animal! +But, we'll let it go. The sun tells meet's half past eight o'clock and +I go to ask our guest the usual question." + +"Enough!" exclaimed Garay. "I yield! I cannot bear this any longer!" + +"Your papers, please!" + +"Unbind me and give me food!" + +"Your papers first, our fish next." + +As he spoke the hunter leaned over, and with his keen hunting knife +severed Garay's bonds. The man sat up, rubbed his wrists and ankles +and breathed deeply. + +"Your papers!" repeated Willet. + +"Bring me my pistol, the one that the Indian filched from me while I +slept," said Garay. + +"Your pistol!" exclaimed the hunter, in surprise. "Now I'd certainly +be foolish to hand you a deadly and loaded weapon!" + +But Robert's quick intellect comprehended at once. He snatched the +heavy pistol from the Onondaga's belt, drew forth the bullet and then +drew the charge behind it, not powder at all, but a small, tightly +folded paper of tough tissue, which he held aloft triumphantly. + +"Very clever! very clever!" said Willet in admiration. "The pistol was +loaded, but 'twould never be fired, and nobody would have thought of +searching its barrel. Tayoga, give Monsieur Garay the two spare fish +and anything else he wants, but see that he eats sparingly because a +gorge will go ill with a famished man, and then we'll have a look at +his precious document." + +The Onondaga treated Garay as the honored guest they had been calling +him, giving him the whole variety of their breakfast, but, at guarded +intervals, which allowed him to relish to the full all the savors and +juices that had been taunting him so long. Willet opened the letter, +smoothed it out carefully on his knee, and holding it up to the light +until the words stood out clearly, read: + +"To Hendrik Martinus At Albany. + +"The intermediary of whom you know, the bearer of this letter, has +brought me word from you that the English Colonial troops, after the +unfortunate battle at Lake George, have not pushed their victory. He +also informs us that the governors of the English colonies do not +agree, and that there is much ill feeling among the different Colonial +forces. He says that Johnson still suffering from his wound, does not +move, and that the spirit has gone out of our enemies. All of which is +welcome news to us at this juncture, since it has given to us the time +that we need. + +"Our defeat but incites us to greater efforts. The Indian tribes who +have cast their lot with us are loyal to our arms. All the forces of +France and New France are being assembled to crush our foes. We have +lost Dieskau, but a great soldier, Louis Joseph de Saint Véran, the +Marquis de Montcalm-Gozon, is coming from France to lead our armies. +He will be assisted by the incomparable chieftains, the Chevalier de +Levis, the Chevalier Bourlamaque and others who understand the warfare +of the wilderness. Even now we are preparing to move with a great +power on Albany and we may surprise the town. + +"Tell those of whom you know in Albany and New York to be ready with +rifles and ammunition and other presents for the Indian warriors. Much +depends upon their skill and promptness in delivering these valuable +goods to the tribes. It seals them to our standard. They can be landed +at the places of which we know, and then be carried swiftly across the +wilderness. But I bid you once more to exercise exceeding caution. Let +no name of those associated with us ever be entrusted to writing, as a +single slip might bring our whole fabric crashing to the ground, and +send to death those who serve us. After you have perused this letter +destroy it. Do not tear it in pieces and throw them away but burn it +to the last and least little fragment. In conclusion I say yet again, +caution, caution, caution. + +Raymond Louis de St. Luc." + +The three looked at one another. Garay was in the third course of his +breakfast, and no longer took notice of anything else. + +"Those associated with us in Albany and New York," quoted Willet. "Now +I wonder who they are. I might make a shrewd guess at one, but no +names are given and as we have no proof we must keep silent about him +for the present. Yet this paper is of vast importance and it must be +put in hands that know how to value it." + +"Then the hands must be those of Colonel William Johnson," said +Robert. + +"I fancy you're right, lad. Yet 'tis hard just now to decide upon the +wisest policy." + +"The colonel is the real leader of our forces," persisted the lad. +"It's to him that we must go." + +"It looks so, Robert, but for a few days we've got to consider +ourselves. Now that we have his letter I wish we didn't have Garay." + +"You wouldn't really have starved him, would you, Dave? Somehow it +seemed pretty hard." + +The hunter laughed heartily. + +"Bless your heart, lad," he replied. "Don't you be troubled about the +way we dealt with Garay. I knew all the while that he would never get +to the starving point, or I wouldn't have tried it with him. I knew by +looking at him that his isn't the fiber of which martyrs are made. I +calculated that he would give up last night or this morning." + +"Are we going to take him back with us a prisoner?" + +"That's the trouble. As a spy, which he undoubtedly is, his life is +forfeit, but we are not executioners. For scouts and messengers such +as we are he'd be a tremendous burden to take along with us. Moreover, +I think that after his long fast he'd eat all the game we could kill, +and we don't propose to spend our whole time feeding one of our +enemies." + +"Call Tayoga," said Robert. + +The Onondaga came and then young Lennox said to his two comrades: + +"Are you willing to trust me in the matter of Garay, our prisoner?" + +"Yes," they replied together. + +Robert went to the man, who was still immersed in his gross feeding, +and tapped him on the shoulder. + +"Listen, Garay," he said. "You're the bearer of secret and treacherous +dispatches, and you're a spy. You must know that under all the rules +of war your life is forfeit to your captors." + +Garay's face became gray and ghastly. + +"You--you wouldn't murder me?" he said. + +"There could be no such thing as murder in your case, and we won't +take your life, either." + +The face of the intermediary recovered its lost color. + +"You will spare me, then?" he exclaimed joyfully. + +"In a way, yes, but we're not going to carry you back in luxury to +Albany, nor are we thinking of making you an honored member of our +band. You've quite a time before you." + +"I don't understand you." + +"You will soon. You're going back to the Chevalier de St. Luc who has +little patience with failure, and you'll find that the road to him +abounds in hard traveling. It may be, too, that the savage Tandakora +will ask you some difficult questions, but if so, Monsieur Achille +Garay, it will be your task to answer them, and I take it that you +have a fertile mind. In any event, you will be equipped to meet him by +your journey, which will be full of variety and effort and which will +strengthen and harden your mind." + +The face of Garay paled again, and he gazed at Robert in a sort of +dazed fashion. The imagination of young Lennox was alive and leaping. +He had found what seemed to him a happy solution of a knotty problem, +and, as usual in such cases, his speech became fluent and golden. + +"Oh, you'll enjoy it, Monsieur Achille Garay," he said in his mellow, +persuasive voice. "The forest is beautiful at this time of the year +and the mountains are so magnificent always that they must appeal to +anyone who has in his soul the strain of poetry that I know you have. +The snow, too, I think has gone from the higher peaks and ridges and +you will not be troubled by extreme cold. If you should wander from +the path back to St. Luc you will have abundant leisure in which to +find it again, because for quite a while to come time will be of no +importance to you. And as you'll go unarmed, you'll be in no danger of +shooting your friends by mistake." + +"You're not going to turn me into the wilderness to starve?" + +"Not at all. We'll give you plenty of food. Tayoga and I will see you +well on your way. Now, since you've eaten enough, you start at once." + +Tayoga and the hunter fell in readily with Robert's plan. The captive +received enough food to last four days, which he carried in a pack +fastened on his back, and then Robert and Tayoga accompanied him +northward and back on the trail. + +Much of Garay's courage returned as they marched steadily on through +the forest. When he summed it up he found that he had fared well. His +captors had really been soft-hearted. It was not usual for one serving +as an intermediary and spy like himself to escape, when taken, with +his life and even with freedom. Life! How precious it was! Young +Lennox had said that the forest was beautiful, and it was! It was +splendid, grand, glorious to one who had just come out of the jaws of +death, and the air of late autumn was instinct with vitality. He drew +himself up jauntily, and his step became strong and springy. + +They walked on many miles and Robert, whose speech had been so fluent +before, was silent now. Nor did the Onondaga speak either. Garay +himself hazarded a few words, but meeting with no response his spirits +fell a little. The trail led over a low ridge, and at its crest his +two guards stopped. + +"Here we bid you farewell, Monsieur Achille Garay," said Robert. +"Doubtless you will wish to commune with your own thoughts and our +presence will no longer disturb you. Our parting advice to you is to +give up the trade in which you have been engaged. It is full perilous, +and it may be cut short at any time by sudden death. Moreover, it is +somewhat bare of honor, and even if it should be crowned by continued +success 'tis success of a kind that's of little value. Farewell." + +"Farewell," said Garay, and almost before he could realize it, the two +figures had melted into the forest behind him. A weight was lifted +from him with their going, and once more his spirits bounded upward. +He was Achille Garay, bold and venturesome, and although he was +without weapons he did not fear two lads. + +Three miles farther on he turned. He did not care to face St. Luc, his +letter lost, and the curious, dogged obstinacy that lay at the back of +his character prevailed. He would go back. He would reach those for +whom his letter had been intended, Martinus and the others, and he +would win the rich rewards that had been promised to him. He had +plenty of food, he would make a wide curve, advance at high speed and +get to Albany ahead of the foolish three. + +He turned his face southward and walked swiftly through the thickets. +A rifle cracked and a twig overhead severed by a bullet fell upon his +face. Garay shivered and stood still for a long time. Courage trickled +back, and he resumed his advance, though it was slow. A second rifle +cracked, and a bullet passed so close to his cheek that he felt its +wind. He could not restrain a cry of terror, and turning again he fled +northward to St. Luc. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +When Robert and Tayoga returned to the camp and told Willet what they +had done the hunter laughed a little. + +"Garay doesn't want to face St. Luc," he said, "but he will do it +anyhow. He won't dare to come back on the trail in face of bullets, +and now we're sure to deliver his letter in ample time." + +"Should we go direct to Albany?" asked Robert. + +The hunter cupped his chin in his hand and meditated. + +"I'm all for Colonel Johnson," he replied at last. "He understands the +French and Indians and has more vigor than the authorities at Albany. +It seems likely to me that he will still be at the head of Lake George +where we left him, perhaps building the fort of which they were +talking before we left there." + +"His wound did not give promise of getting well so very early," said +Robert, "and he would not move while he was in a weakened condition." + +"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll +turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?" + +"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes +necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it." + +"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead +of Albany." + +They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a +journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake +that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought +that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had +passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him +to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain. + +They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a +wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before +the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band +traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also +found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga +examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest +over a pair uncommonly long and slender. + +"I think they're his," the hunter finally said. + +"So do I," said the Onondaga. + +"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl." + +"It can be only the Owl." + +"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified. + +"The Owl is, in truth, a most dangerous man," replied the hunter. "His +name, which the Indians have given him, indicates he works by night, +though he's no sloth in the day, either. But he has another name, +also, the one by which he was christened. It's Charles Langlade, a +young Frenchman who was a trader before the war. I've seen him more +than once. He's mighty shrewd and alert, uncommon popular among the +western Indians, who consider him as one of them because he married a +good looking young Indian woman at Green Bay, and a great forester and +wilderness fighter. It's wonderful how the French adapt themselves to +the ways of the Indians and how they take wives among them. I suppose +the marriage tie is one of their greatest sources of strength with the +tribes. Now, Tayoga, why do you think the Owl is here so far to the +eastward of his usual range?" + +"He and his warriors are looking for scalps, Great Bear, and it may be +that they have seen St. Luc. They were traveling fast and they are now +between us and Andiatarocte. I like it but little." + +"Not any less than I do. It upsets our plans. We must leave the trail, +or like as not we'll run squarely into a big band. What a pity our +troops didn't press on after the victory at the lake. Instead of +driving the French and Indians out of the whole northern wilderness +we've left it entirely to them." + +They turned from the trail with reluctance, because, strong and +enduring as they were, incessant hardships, long traveling and battle +were beginning to tell upon all three, and they were unwilling to be +climbing again among the high mountains. But there was no choice and +night found them on a lofty ridge in a dense thicket. The hunter and +the Onondaga were disturbed visibly over the advent of Langlade, and +their uneasiness was soon communicated to the sympathetic mind of +Robert. + +The night being very clear, sown with shining stars, they saw rings of +smoke rising toward the east, and outlined sharply against the dusky +blue. + +"That's Langlade sending up signals," said the hunter, anxiously, "and +he wouldn't do it unless he had something to talk about." + +"When one man speaks another man answers," said Tayoga. "Now from what +point will come the reply?" + +Robert felt excitement. These rings of smoke in the blue were full +of significance for them, and the reply to the first signal would be +vital. "Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly. The answer came from the west, +directly behind them. + +"I think they've discovered our trail," said Willet. "They didn't +learn it from Garay, because Langlade passed before we sent him back, +but they might have heard from St. Luc or Tandakora that we were +somewhere in the forest. It's bad. If it weren't for the letter we +could turn sharply to the north and stay in the woods till Christmas, +if need be." + +"We may have to do so, whether we wish it or not," said Tayoga. "The +shortest way is not always the best." + +Before morning they saw other smoke signals in the south, and it +became quite evident then that the passage could not be tried, except +at a risk perhaps too great to take. + +"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust +to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find +Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain." + +At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they +saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last +lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared. It became +quite evident to their trained observation and the powers of inference +from circumstances which had become almost a sixth sense with them +that there was a vigorous pursuit, closing in from three points of the +compass, south, east and west. They slept again the next night in the +forest without fire and arose the following morning cold, stiff and +out of temper. While they eased their muscles and prepared for the +day's flight they resolved upon a desperate expedient. + +It was vital now to carry the letter to Johnson and then to Albany, +which they considered more important than their own escape, and they +could not afford to be driven farther and farther into the recesses of +the north, while St. Luc might be marching with a formidable force on +Albany itself. + +"With us it's unite to fight and divide for flight," said Robert, +divining what was in the mind of the others. + +"The decision is forced upon us," said Willet, regretfully. + +Tayoga nodded. + +"We'll read the letter again several times, until all of us know it by +heart," said the hunter. + +The precious document was produced, and they went over it until each +could repeat it from memory. Then Willet said: + +"I'm the oldest and I'll take the letter and go south past their +bands. One can slip through where three can't." + +He spoke with such decision that the others, although Tayoga wanted +the task of risk and honor, said nothing. + +"And do you, Robert and Tayoga," resumed the hunter, "continue your +flight to the northward. You can keep ahead of these bands, and, when +you discover the chase has stopped, curve back for Lake George. If by +any chance I should fall by the way, though it's not likely, you can +repeat the letter to Colonel Johnson, and let's hope you'll be in +time. Now good-by, and God bless you both." + +Willet never displayed emotion, but his feeling was very deep as he +wrung the outstretched hand of each. Then he turned at an angle to the +east and south and disappeared in the undergrowth. + +"He has been more than a father to me," said Robert. + +"The Great Bear is a man, a man who is pleasing to Areskoui himself," +said Tayoga with emphasis. + +"Do you think he will get safely through?" + +"There is no warrior, not even of the Clan of the Bear, of the Nation +Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who can surpass the +Great Bear in forest skill and cunning. In the night he will creep by +Tandakora himself, with such stealth, that not a leaf will stir, and +there will be not the slightest whisper in the grass. His step, too, +will be so light that his trail will be no more than a bird's in the +air." + +Robert laughed and felt better. + +"You don't stint the praise of a friend, Tayoga," he said, "but I know +that at least three-fourths of what you say is true. Now, I take it +that you and I are to play the hare to Langlade's hounds, and that in +doing so we'll be of great help to Dave." + +"Aye," agreed the Onondaga, and they swung into their gait. Robert had +received Garay's pistol which, being of the same bore as his own, was +now loaded with bullet and powder, instead of bullet and paper, and it +swung at his belt, while Tayoga carried the intermediary's rifle, a +fine piece. It made an extra burden, but they had been unwilling +to throw it away--a rifle was far too valuable on the border to be +abandoned. + +They maintained a good pace until noon, and, as they heard no sound +behind them, less experienced foresters than they might have thought +the pursuit had ceased, but they knew better. It had merely settled +into that tenacious kind which was a characteristic of the Indian +mind, and unless they could hide their trail it would continue in the +same determined manner for days. At noon, they paused a half hour in a +dense grove and ate bear and deer meat, sauced with some fine, black +wild grapes, the vines hanging thick on one of the trees. + +"Think of those splendid banquets we enjoyed when Garay was sitting +looking at us, though not sharing with us," said Robert. + +Tayoga smiled at the memory and said: + +"If he had been able to hold out a little longer he would have had +plenty of food, and we would not have had the letter. The Great Bear +would never have starved him." + +"I know that now, Tayoga, and I learn from it that we're to hold out +too, long after we think we're lost, if we're to be the victors." + +They came in the afternoon to a creek, flowing in their chosen course, +and despite the coldness of its waters, which rose almost to their +knees, they waded a long time in its bed. When they went out on the +bank they took off their leggings and moccasins, wrung or beat out of +them as much of the water as they could, and then let them dry for a +space in the sun, while they rubbed vigorously their ankles and feet +to create warmth. They knew that Langlade's men would follow on either +side of the creek until they picked up the trail again, but their +maneuver would create a long delay, and give them a rest needed badly. + +"Have you anything in mind, Tayoga?" asked Robert. "You know that the +farther north and higher we go the colder it will become, and our +flight may take us again into the very heart of a great snow storm." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but it is also so that I do have a plan. I think +I know the country into which we are coming, and that tells me what to +do. The people of my race, living from the beginning of the world in +the great forest, have not been too proud to learn from the animals, +and of all the animals we know perhaps the wisest is the bear." + +"The bear is scarcely an animal, Tayoga. He is almost a human being. +He has as good a sense of humor as we have, and he is more careful +about minding his own business, and letting alone that of other +people." + +"Dagaeoga is not without wisdom. We will even learn from the bear. +A hundred miles to the north of us there is a vast rocky region +containing many caves, where the bears go in great numbers to sleep +the long winters through. It is not much disturbed, because it is +a dangerous country, lying between the Hodenosaunee and the Indian +nations to the north, with which we have been at war for centuries. +There we will go." + +"And hole up until our peril passes! Your plan appeals to me, Tayoga! +I will imitate the bear! I will even be a bear!" + +"We will take the home of one of them before he comes for it himself, +and we will do him no injustice, because the wise bear can always find +another somewhere else." + +"They're fine caves, of course!" exclaimed Robert, buoyantly, his +imagination, which was such a powerful asset with him, flaming up as +usual. "Dry and clean, with plenty of leaves for beds, and with nice +little natural shelves for food, and a pleasant little brook just +outside the door. It will be pleasant to lie in our own cave, the best +one of course, and hear the snow and sleet storms whistle by, while +we're warm and comfortable. If we only had complete assurance that +Dave was through with the letter I'd be willing to stay there until +spring." + +Tayoga smiled indulgently. + +"Dagaeoga is always dreaming," he said, "but bright dreams hurt +nobody." + +When night came, they were many more miles on their way, but it was +a very cold darkness that fell upon them and they shivered in their +blankets. Robert made no complaint, but he longed for the caves, of +which he was making such splendid pictures. Shortly before morning, a +light snow fell and the dawn was chill and discouraging, so much so +that Tayoga risked a fire for the sake of brightness and warmth. + +"Langlade's men will come upon the coals we leave," he said, "but +since we have not shaken them off it will make no difference. How much +food have we left, Dagaeoga?" + +"Not more than enough for three days." + +"Then it is for us to find more soon. It is another risk that we must +take. I wish I had with me now my bow and arrows which I left at the +lake, instead of Garay's rifle. But Areskoui will provide." + +The day turned much colder, and the streams to which they came were +frozen over. By night, the ice was thick enough to sustain their +weight and they traveled on it for a long time, their thick moosehide +moccasins keeping their feet warm, and saving them from falling. +Before they returned to the land it began to snow again, and Tayoga +rejoiced openly. + +"Now a white blanket will lie over the trail we have left on the ice," +he said, "hiding it from the keenest eyes that ever were in a man's +head." + +Then they crossed a ridge and came upon a lake, by the side of which +they saw through the snow and darkness a large fire burning. Creeping +nearer, they discerned dusky forms before the flames and made out a +band of at least twenty warriors, many of them sound asleep, wrapped +to the eyes in their blankets. + +"Have they passed ahead of us and are they here meaning to guard the +way against us?" whispered Robert. + +"No, it is not one of the bands that has been following us," replied +the Onondaga. "This is a war party going south, and not much stained +as yet by time and travel. They are Montagnais, come from Montreal. +They seek scalps, but not ours, because they do not know of us." + +Robert shuddered. These savages, like as not, would fall at midnight +upon some lone settlement, and his intense imagination depicted the +hideous scenes to follow. + +"Come away," he whispered. "Since they don't know anything about us +we'll keep them in ignorance. I'm longing more than ever for my warm +bear cave." + +They disappeared in the falling snow, which would soon hide their +trail here, as it had hidden it elsewhere, and left the lake behind +them, not stopping until they came to a deep and narrow gorge in the +mountains, so well sheltered by overhanging bushes that no snow fell +there. They raked up great quantities of dry leaves, after the usual +fashion, and spread their blankets upon them, poor enough quarters +save for the hardiest, but made endurable for them by custom and +intense weariness. Both fell asleep almost at once, and both awoke +about the same time far after dawn. + +Robert moved his stiff fingers in his blanket and sat up, feeling cold +and dismal. Tayoga was sitting up also, and the two looked at each +other. + +"In very truth those bear caves never seemed more inviting to me," +said young Lennox, solemnly, "and yet I only see them from afar." + +"Dagaeoga has fallen in love with bear caves," said the Onondaga, in +a whimsical tone. "The time is not so far back when he never talked +about them at all, and now words in their praise fall from his lips in +a stream." + +"It's because I've experienced enlightenment, Tayoga. It is only in +the last two or three days that I've learned the vast superiority of a +cave to any other form of human habitation. Our remote ancestors lived +in them two or three hundred thousand years, and we've been living in +houses of wood or brick or stone only six or seven thousand years, I +suppose, and so the cave, if you judge by the length of time, is our +true home. Hence I'm filled with a just enthusiasm at the thought of +going back speedily to the good old ways and the good old days. It's +possible, Tayoga, that our remote grandfathers knew best." + +"When Dagaeoga comes to his death bed, seventy or eighty years from +now, and the medicine man tells him but little more breath is left in +his body, what then do you think he will do?" + +"What will I do, Tayoga?" + +"You will say to the medicine man, 'Tell me exactly how long I have +to live,' and the medicine man will reply: 'Ten minutes, O Dagaeoga, +venerable chief and great orator.' Then you will say: 'Let all the +people be summoned and let them crowd into the wigwam in which I lie,' +and when they have all come and stand thick about your bed, you will +say, 'Now raise me into a sitting position and put the pillows thick +behind my back and head that I may lean against them.' Then you +will speak to the people. The words will flow from your lips in a +continuous and golden stream. It will be the finest speech of your +life. It will be filled with magnificent words, many of them, eight or +ten syllables long. It will be mellow like the call of a trumpet. It +will be armed with force, and it will be beautiful with imagery; it +will be suffused and charged with color, it will be the very essence +of poetry and power, and as the aged Dagaeoga draws his very last +breath so he will speak his very last word, and thus, in a golden +cloud, his soul will go away into infinite space, to dwell forever +in the bosom of Manitou, with the immortal sachems, Tododaho and +Hayowentha!" + +"Do you know, Tayoga, I think that would be a happy death," said +Robert earnestly. + +The Onondaga laughed heartily. + +"Thus does Dagaeoga show his true nature," he said. "He was born with +the spirit and soul of the orator, and the fact is disclosed often. It +is well. The orator, be he white or red, will lose himself sometimes +in his own words, but he is a gift from the gods, sent to lift up the +souls, and cheer the rest of us. He is the bugle that calls us to the +chase and we must not forget that his value is great." + +"And having said a whole cargo of words yourself Tayoga, now what do +you propose that we do?" + +"Push on with all our strength for the caves. I know now we are on the +right path, because I recall the country through which we are passing. +At noon we will reach a small lake, in which the fish are so numerous +that there is not room for them all at the same time in the water. +They have to take turns in getting the air above the surface on top of +the others. For that reason the fish of this lake are different from +all other fish. They will live a full hour on the bank after they are +caught." + +"Tayoga, in very truth, you've learned our ways well. You've become a +prince of romancers yourself." + +At the appointed time they reached the lake. There were no fish above +its surface, but the Onondaga claimed it was due to the fact that the +lake was covered with ice which of course kept them down, and which +crowded them excessively, and very uncomfortably. They broke two big +holes in the ice, let down the lines which they always carried, the +hooks baited with fragments of meat, and were soon rewarded with +splendid fish, as much as they needed. + +Tayoga with his usual skill lighted a fire, despite the driving snow, +and they had a banquet, taking with them afterward a supply of the +cooked fish, though they knew they could not rely upon fish alone in +the winter days that were coming. But fortune was with them. Before +dark, Robert shot a deer, a great buck, fine and fat. They had so +little fear of pursuit now that they cut up the body, saving the skin +whole for tanning, and hung the pieces in the trees, there to +freeze. Although it would make quite a burden they intended to carry +practically all of it with them. + +Many mountain wolves were drawn that night by the odor of the spoils, +but they lay between twin fires and had no fear of an attack. Yet the +time might come when they would be assailed by fierce wild animals, +and now they were glad that Tayoga had kept Garay's rifle, and also +his ammunition, a good supply of powder and bullets. It was possible +that the question of ammunition might become vital with them, but they +did not yet talk of it. + +On the second day thereafter, bearing their burdens of what had been +the deer, they reached the stony valley Tayoga had in mind, and Robert +saw at once that its formation indicated many caves. + +"Now, I wonder if the bears have come," he said, putting down his pack +and resting. "The cold has been premature and perhaps they're still +roaming through the forest. I shouldn't want to put an interloper out +of my own particular cave, but, if I have to do it, I will." + +"The bears haven't arrived yet," said Tayoga, "and we can choose. I do +not know, but I do not think a bear always occupies the same winter +home, so we will not have to fight over our place." + +It was a really wonderful valley, where the decaying stone had made a +rich assortment of small caves, many of them showing signs of former +occupancy by large wild animals, and, after long searching, they found +one that they could make habitable for themselves. Its entrance was +several feet above the floor of the valley, so that neither storm nor +winter flood could send water into it, and its own floor was fairly +smooth, with a roof eight or ten feet high. It could be easily +defended with their three rifles, the aperture being narrow, and they +expected, with skins and pelts, to make it warm. + +It was but a cold and bleak refuge for all save the hardiest, and +for a little while Robert had to use his last ounce of will to save +himself from discouragement. But vigorous exertion and keen interest +in the future brought back his optimism. The hide of the deer they had +slain was spread at once upon the cave floor and made a serviceable +rug. They spoke hopefully of soon adding to it. + +A brook flowed less than a hundred yards away, and they would have +no trouble about their water supply, while the country about seemed +highly favorable for game. But on their first day there they did not +do any hunting. They rolled several large stones before the door of +their new home, making it secure against any prying wild animals, and +then, after a hearty meal, they wrapped themselves in their blankets +and slept prodigiously. + +Tayoga went into the forest the next day and set traps and snares, +while Robert worked in the valley, breaking up fallen wood to be used +for fires, and doing other chores. The Onondaga in the next three or +four days shot a large panther, a little bear, and caught in the traps +and snares a quantity of small game. The big pelts and the little +pelts, after proper treatment, were spread upon the floor or hung +against the walls of the cave, which now began to assume a much more +inviting aspect, and the flesh of the animals that were eatable, cured +after the primitive but effective processes, was stored there also. + +Providence granted them a period of good weather, days and nights +alike being clear and cold. The game, evidently not molested for a +long time, fairly walked into their traps, and they were compelled to +draw but little upon their precious supply of ammunition. Food for the +future accumulated rapidly, and the floor and walls of the cave were +soon covered entirely with furs. + +Not one of the numerous caves and hollows about them contained an +occupant and Robert wondered if their presence would frighten away the +wild animals, so many of which had hibernated there so often. Yet he +had a belief that the bears would come. His present mode of life and +his isolation from the world gave him a feeling almost of kinship with +them, and in some strange way, and through some medium unknown to him, +they might reciprocate. He and Tayoga had killed several bears, it was +true, but far from the cave, and they made up their minds to molest +nothing in the valley or just about it. + +It was a land of many waters and they caught with ease numerous fish, +drying all the surplus and storing it with the other food in the cave. +They also made soft beds for themselves of the little branches of the +evergreen, over which they spread their blankets, and when they rolled +the stone before the doorway at night they never failed to sleep +soundly. + +They did their cooking in front of the cave door, but it was always +a smothered fire. While they felt safe from wandering bands in that +lofty and remote region, they took no unnecessary risks. The valley +itself, though deep, was much broken up into separate little valleys, +and most of the caves were hidden from their own. It was this fact +that made Robert still think the bears would come, despite coals and +flame. In the evenings they would talk of Willet, and both were firm +in the opinion that the hunter had got through to Lake George and that +Johnson and Albany had been warned in time. Each was confirmed in his +opinion by the other and in a few days it became certainty. + +"I think Tododaho on his star whispered in my ear while I slept that +Great Bear has passed the hostile lines," said Tayoga with conviction, +"because I know it, just as if the Great Bear himself had told it to +me, though I do not know how I know it." + +"It's some sort of mysterious information," said Robert in the same +tone of absolute belief, "and I don't worry any more about Dave and +the letter. The men of the Hodenosaunee seem to have a special gift. +You know the old chief, Hendrik, foretold that he would die on the +shores of Andiatarocte, and it came to pass just as he had said." + +"It was a glorious death, Dagaeoga, and it was, perhaps, he who saved +our army, and made the victory possible." + +"So it was. There's not a doubt of it, but, here, I don't feel much +like taking part in a war. The great struggle seems to have passed +around us for a while, at least. I appear to myself as a man of peace, +occupied wholly with the struggle for existence and with preparations +for a hard winter. I don't want to harm anything." + +"Perhaps it's because nothing we know of wants to harm us. But, +Dagaeoga, if the bears come at all they will come quickly, because in +a few days winter will be roaring down upon us." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must hurry our labors, and since the mysterious +message brought in some manner through the air has told us that Dave +has reached the lake, I'm rather anxious for it to rush down. While it +keeps us here it will also hold back the forces of St. Luc." + +"That's true, Dagaeoga. It's a poor snow that doesn't help somebody. +Now, I will make a bow and arrow to take the place of my great bow and +quiver, which await me elsewhere, because we must draw but little upon +our powder and bullets." + +The Onondaga had hatchet and knife and he worked with great rapidity +and skill, cutting and bending a bow in two or three days, and making +a string of strong sinews, after which he fashioned many arrows and +tipped them with sharp bone. Then he contemplated his handiwork with +pride. + +"Hasty work is never the best of work," he said, "and these are not as +good as those I left behind me, but I know they will serve. The game +here, hunted but little, is not very wary and I can approach near." + +His skill both in construction and use was soon proved, as he slew +with his new weapons a great moose, two ordinary deer, and much +smaller game, while the traps caught beaver, otter, fox, wolf and +other animals, with fine pelts. Many splendid furs were soon drying +in the air and were taken later into the cave, while they accumulated +dried and jerked game enough to last them until the next spring. + +Both worked night and day with such application and intensity that +their hands became stiff and sore, and every bone in them ached. +Nevertheless Robert took time now and then to examine the little caves +in the other sections of the valley, only to find them still empty. +He thought, for a while, that the presence of Tayoga and himself and +their operations with the game might have frightened the bears away, +but the feeling that they would come returned and was strong upon him. +As for Tayoga he never doubted. It had been decreed by Tododaho. + +"The animals have souls," he said. "Often when great warriors die or +fall in battle their souls go into the bodies of bear, or deer, or +wolf, but oftenest into that of bear. For that reason the bear, saving +only the dog which lives with us, is nearest to man, and now and then, +because of the warrior soul in him, he is a man himself, although +he walks on four legs--and he does not always walk on four legs, +sometimes he stands on two. Doubt not, Dagaeoga, that when the stormy +winter sweeps down the bears will come to their ancient homes, whether +or not we be here." + +The winds grew increasingly chill, coming from the vast lakes beyond +the Great Lakes, those that lay in the far Canadian north, and the +skies were invariably leaden in hue and gloomy. But in the cave it +was cozy and warm. Furs and skins were so numerous that there was no +longer room on the floor and walls for them all, many being stored in +glossy heaps in the corners. + +"Some day these will bring a good price from the Dutch traders at +Albany," said Robert, "and it may be, Tayoga, that you and I will need +the money. I've been a scout and warrior for a long time, and now +I've suddenly turned fur hunter. Well, that spirit of peace and of a +friendly feeling toward all mankind grows upon me. Why shouldn't I be +full of brotherly love when your patron saint, Tododaho, has been so +kind to us?" + +He swept the cave once more with a glance of approval. It furnished +shelter, warmth, food in abundance, and with its furs even a certain +velvety richness for the eye, and Tayoga nodded assent. Meanwhile they +waited for the fierce blasts of the mountain winter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +A singular day came when it seemed to Robert that the wind alternately +blew hot and cold, at least by contrast, and the deep, leaden skies +were suffused with a peculiar mist that made him see all objects in +a distorted fashion. Everything was out of proportion. Some were +too large and some too small. Either the world was awry or his own +faculties had become discolored and disjointed. While his interest in +his daily toil decreased and his thoughts were vague and distant, +his curiosity, nevertheless, was keen and concentrated. He knew that +something unusual was going to happen and nature was preparing him for +it. + +The occult quality in the air did not depart with the coming of night, +though the winds no longer alternated, the warm blasts ceasing to +blow, while the cold came steadily and with increasing fierceness. Yet +it was warm and close in the cave, and the two went outside for air, +wandering up the face of the ridge that enclosed the northern side +of their particular valley in the chain of little valleys. Upon the +summit they stood erect, and the face of Tayoga became rapt like +that of a seer. When Robert looked at him his own blood tingled. The +Onondaga shut his eyes, and he spoke not so much to Robert as to the +air itself: + +"O Tododaho," he said, "when mine eyes are open I do not see you +because of the vast clouds that Manitou has heaped between, but when I +close them the inner light makes me behold you sitting upon your star +and looking down with kindness upon this, the humblest and least of +your servants. O Tododaho, you have given my valiant comrade and +myself a safe home in the wilderness in our great need, and I beseech +you that you will always hold your protecting shield between us and +our enemies." + +He paused, his eyes still closed, and stood tense and erect, the north +wind blowing on his face. A shiver ran through Robert, not a shiver of +fear, but a shiver caused by the mysterious and the unknown. His own +eyes were open, and he gazed steadily into the northern heavens. +The occult quality in the air deepened, and now his nerves began to +tingle. His soul thrilled with a coming event. Suddenly the deep, +leaden clouds parted for a few moments, and in the clear space between +he could have sworn that he saw a great dancing star, from which a +mighty, benevolent face looked down upon them. + +"I saw him! I saw him!" he exclaimed in excitement. "It was Tododaho +himself!" + +"I did not see him with my eyes, but I saw him with my soul," said the +Onondaga, opening his eyes, "and he whispered to me that his favor was +with us. We cannot fail in what we wish to do." + +"Look in the next valley, Tayoga. What do you behold now?" + +"It is the bears, Dagaeoga. They come to their long winter sleep." + +Rolling figures, enlarged and fantastic, emerged from the mist. Robert +saw great, red eyes, sharp teeth and claws, and yet he felt neither +fear nor hostility. Tayoga's statement that they were bears, into +which the souls of great warriors had gone, was strong in his mind, +and he believed. They looked up at him, but they did not pause, moving +on to the little caves. + +"They see us," he said. + +"So they do," said Tayoga, "but they do not fear us. The spirits of +mighty warriors look out of their eyes at us, and knowing that they +were once as we are they know also that we will not harm them." + +"Have you ever seen the like of this before, Tayoga?" + +"No! But a few of the old men of the Hodenosaunee have told of their +grandfathers who have seen it. I think it is a mark of favor to us +that we are permitted to behold such a sight. Now I am sure Tododaho +has looked upon us with great approval. Lo, Dagaeoga, more of them +come out of the mist! Before morning every cave, save those in our own +little corner of the valley, will be filled. All of them gaze up at +us, recognize us as friends and pass on. It is a wonderful sight, +Dagaeoga, and we shall never look upon its like again." + +"No," said Robert, as the extraordinary thrill ran through him once +more. "Now they have gone into their caves, and I believe with you, +Tayoga, that the souls of great warriors truly inhabit the bodies of +the bears." + +"And since they are snugly in their homes, ready for the long winter +sleep, lo! the great snow comes, Dagaeoga!" + +A heavy flake fell on Robert's upturned face, and then another and +another. The circling clouds, thick and leaden, were beginning to pour +down their burden, and the two retreated swiftly to their own dry and +well furnished cave. Then they rolled the great stones before the +door, and Tayoga said: + +"Now, we will imitate our friends, the bears, and take a long winter +sleep." + +Both were soon slumbering soundly in their blankets and furs, and all +that night and all the next day the snow fell on the high mountains in +the heart of which they lay. There was no wind, and it came straight +down, making an even depth on ridge, slope and valley. It blotted out +the mouths of the caves, and it clothed all the forest in deep white. +Robert and Tayoga were but two motes, lost in the vast wilderness, +which had returned to its primeval state, and the Indians themselves, +whether hostile or friendly, sought their villages and lodges and were +willing to leave the war trail untrodden until the months of storm and +bitter cold had passed. + +Robert slept heavily. His labors in preparation for the winter had +been severe and unremitting, and his nerves had been keyed very high +by the arrival of the bears and the singular quality in the air. Now, +nature claimed her toll, and he did not awake until nearly noon, +Tayoga having preceded him a half hour. The Onondaga stood at the door +of the cave, looking over the stones that closed its lower half. Fresh +air poured in at the upper half, but Robert saw there only a whitish +veil like a foaming waterfall. + +"The time o' day, Sir Tayoga, Knight of the Great Forest," he said +lightly and cheerfully. + +"There is no sun to tell me," replied the Onondaga. "The face of +Areskoui will be hidden long, but I know that at least half the day is +gone. The flakes make a thick and heavy white veil, through which +I cannot see, and great as are the snows every winter on the high +mountains, this will be the greatest of them all." + +"And we've come into our lair. And a mighty fine lair it is, too. I +seem to adapt myself to such a place, Tayoga. In truth, I feel like +a bear myself. You say that the souls of warriors have gone into the +bears about us, and it may be that the soul of a bear has come into +me." + +"It may be," said Tayoga, gravely. "It is at least a wise thought, +since, for a while, we must live like bears." + +Robert would have chafed, any other time, at a stay that amounted to +imprisonment, but peace and shelter were too welcome now to let him +complain. Moreover, there were many little but important house-hold +duties to do. They made needles of bone, and threads of sinew and +repaired their clothing. Tayoga had stored suitable wood and bone and +he turned out arrow after arrow. He also made another bow, and Robert, +by assiduous practice, acquired sufficient skill to help in these +tasks. They did not drive themselves now, but the hours being filled +with useful and interesting labor, they were content to wait. + +For three or four days, while the snow still fell, they ate cold food, +but when the clouds at last floated away, and the air was free from +the flakes, they went outside and by great effort--the snow being four +or five feet deep--cleared a small space near the entrance, where they +cooked a good dinner from their stores and enjoyed it extravagantly. +Meanwhile the days passed. Robert was impatient at times, but never a +long while. If the mental weariness of waiting came to him he plunged +at once into the tasks of the day. + +There was plenty to do, although they had prepared themselves so well +before the great snowfall came. They made rude shovels of wood and +enlarged the space they had cleared of snow. Here, they fitted stones +together, until they had a sort of rough furnace which, crude though +it was, helped them greatly with their cooking. They also pulled more +brushwood from under the snow, and by its use saved the store they +had heaped up for impossible days. Then, by continued use of the bone +needles and sinews, they managed to make cloaks for themselves of the +bearskins. They were rather shapeless garments, and they had little of +beauty save in the rich fur itself, but they were wonderfully warm and +that was what they wanted most. + +Tayoga, after a while, began slow and painstaking work on a pair of +snowshoes, expecting to devote many days to the task. + +"The snow is so deep we cannot pass through it," he said, "but I, at +least, will pass upon it. I cannot get the best materials, but what I +have will serve. I shall not go far, but I want to explore the country +about us." + +Robert thought it a good plan, and helped as well as he could with the +work. They still stayed outdoors as much as possible, but the cold +became intense, the temperature going almost to forty degrees below +zero, the surface of the snow freezing and the boughs of the big +trees about the valley becoming so brittle that they broke with sharp +crashes beneath the weight of accumulated snow. Then they paused long +enough in the work on the snowshoes to make themselves gloves of +buckskin, which were a wonderful help, as they labored in the fresh +air. Ear muffs and caps of bearskin followed. + +"I feel some reluctance about using bearskin so much," said Robert, +"since the bears about us are inhabited by the souls of great warriors +and are our friends." + +"But the bears that we killed did not belong here," said Tayoga, "and +were bears and nothing more. It was right for us to slay them because +the bear was sent by Manitou to be a support for the Indian with his +flesh and his pelt." + +"But how do you know that the bears we killed were just bears and +bears only?" + +"Because, if they had not been we would not have killed them." + +Thus were the qualms of young Lennox quieted and he used his bearskin +cap, gloves and cloak without further scruple. The snowshoes were +completed and Tayoga announced that he would start early the next +morning. + +"I may be gone three or four days, Dagaeoga," he said, "but I will +surely return. I shall avoid danger, and do you be careful also." + +"Don't fear for me," said Robert. "I'm not likely to go farther than +the brook, since there's no great sport in breaking your way through +snow that comes to your waist, and which, moreover, is covered with a +thick sheet of ice. Don't trouble your mind about me, Tayoga, I won't +roam from home." + +The Onondaga took his weapons, a supply of food, and departed, +skimming over the snow with wonderful, flying strokes, while Robert +settled down to lonely waiting. It was a hard duty, but he again found +solace in work, and at intervals he contemplated the mouths of the +bears' caves, now almost hidden by the snow. Tayoga's belief was +strong upon him, for the time, and he concluded that the warriors +who inhabited the bodies of the bears must be having some long and +wonderful dreams. At least, they had plenty of time to dream in, and +it was an extraordinary provision of nature that gave them such a +tremendous sleep. + +Tayoga returned in four days, and Robert, who had more than enough of +being alone, welcomed him with hospitable words to a fire and a feast. + +"I must first put away my spoils," said the Onondaga, his dark eyes +glittering. + +"Spoils! What spoils, Tayoga?" + +"Powder and lead," he replied, taking a heavy bundle wrapped in +deerskin from beneath his bearskin overcoat. "It weighs a full fifty +pounds, and it made my return journey very wearisome. Catch it, +Dagaeoga!" + +Robert caught, and he saw that it was, in truth, powder and lead. + +"Now, where did you get this?" he exclaimed. "You couldn't have gone +to any settlement!" + +"There is no settlement to go to. I made our enemies furnish the +powder and lead we need so much, and that is surely the cheapest way. +Listen, Dagaeoga. I remembered that to the east of us, about two days' +journey, was a long valley sheltered well and warm, in which Indians +who fight the Hodenosaunee often camp. I thought it likely they would +be there in such a winter as this, and that I might take from them in +the night the powder and lead we need so much. + +"I was right. The savages were there, and with them a white man, a +Frenchman, that Charles Langlade, called the Owl, from whom we fled. +They had an abundance of all things, and they were waxing fat, until +they could take the war path in the spring. Then, Dagaeoga, I played +the fox. At night, when they dreamed of no danger, I entered their +biggest lodges, passing as one of them, and came away with the powder +and lead." + +"It was a great feat, Tayoga, but are you sure none of them will trail +you here?" + +"The surface of the snow and ice melts a little in the noonday sun, +enough to efface all trace of the snowshoes, and my trail is no more +than that made by a bird in its flight through the air. Nor can we be +followed here while we are guarded by the bears, who sleep, but who, +nevertheless, are sentinels." + +Tayoga took off his snowshoes, and sank upon a heap of furs in the +cave, while Robert brought him food and inspected the great prize of +ammunition he had brought. The package contained a dozen huge horns +filled with powder, and many small bars of lead, the latter having +made the weight which had proved such a severe trial to the Onondaga. + +"Here's enough of both lead and powder to last us throughout the +winter, whatever may happen," said Robert in a tone of intense +satisfaction. "Tayoga, you're certainly a master freebooter. You +couldn't have made a more useful capture." + +Each, after the invariable custom of hunters and scouts, carried +bullet molds, and they were soon at work, melting the lead and casting +bullets for their rifles, then pouring the shining pellets in a stream +into their pouches. They continued at the task from day to day until +all the lead was turned into bullets and then they began work on +another pair of snowshoes, these intended for Robert. + +Despite the safety and comfort of their home in the rock, both began +to chafe now, and time grew tremendously long. They had done nearly +everything they could do for themselves, and life had become so easy +that there was leisure to think and be restless, because they were far +away from great affairs. + +"When my snowshoes are finished and I perfect myself in the use of +them," said Robert, "I favor an attempt to escape on the ice and snow +to the south. We grow rusty, you and I, here, Tayoga. The war may be +decided in our absence and I want to see Dave, too. I want to hear him +tell how he got through the savage cordon to the lake." + +"Have no fear about the war, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "It will +not be ended this winter nor the next. Before there is peace between +the French king and the British king you will have a chance to make +many speeches. Yet, like you, I think we should go. It is not well for +us to lie hidden in the ground through a whole winter." + +"But when we leave our good home here I shall leave many regrets +behind." + +He looked around at the cave and its supplies of skins and furs, its +stores of wood and food. Fortune had helped their own skill and they +had made a marvelous change in the place. Its bleakness and bareness +had disappeared. In the cold and bitter wilderness it offered more +than comfort, it was luxury itself. + +"So shall I," said Tayoga, appreciatively, "but we will heap rocks up +to the very top of the door, so that only a little air and nothing +else can enter, and leave it as it is. Some day we may want to use it +again." + +Having decided to go, they became very impatient, but they did not +skimp the work on the snowshoes, knowing how much depended on their +strength, but that task too, like all the others, came to an end in +time. Robert practiced a while and they selected a day of departure. +They were to take with them all the powder and bullets, a large supply +of food and their heavy bearskin overcoats. They had also made for +themselves over-moccasins of fur and extra deerskin leggings. They +would be bundled up greatly, but it was absolutely necessary in order +to face the great cold, that hovered continuously around thirty to +forty degrees below zero. The ear muffs, the caps and the gloves, too, +were necessities, but they had the comfort of believing that if the +fierce winter presented great difficulties to them, it would also keep +their savage enemies in their lodges. + +"The line that shut us in in the autumn has thinned out and gone!" +exclaimed Robert in sanguine tones, "and we'll have a clear path from +here to the lake!" + +Then they rolled stones, as they had planned, before the door to their +home, closing it wholly except a few square inches at the top, and +ascended on their snowshoes to the crest of the ridge. + +"Our cave will not be disturbed, at least not this winter," said +Tayoga confidently. "The bears that sleep below are, as I told you, +the silent sentinels, and they will guard it for us until we come +again." + +"At least, they brought us good luck," said Robert. Then, with long, +gliding strokes they passed over the ridge, and their happy valley was +lost to sight. They did not speak again for hours, Tayoga leading the +way, and each bending somewhat to his task, which was by no means +a light one, owing to the weight they carried, and the extremely +mountainous nature of the country. The wilderness was still and +intensely cold. The deep snow was covered by a crust of ice, and, +despite vigorous exertion and warm clothing, they were none too warm. + +By noon Robert's ankle, not thoroughly hardened to the snowshoes, +began to chafe, and they stopped to rest in a dense grove, where the +searching north wind was turned aside from them. They were traveling +by the sun for the south end of Lake George, but as they were in the +vast plexus of mountains, where their speed could not be great, even +under the best of conditions, they calculated that they would be many +days and nights on the way. + +They stayed fully an hour in the shelter of the trees, and an hour +later came to a frozen lake over which the traveling was easy, but +after they had passed it they entered a land of close thickets, in +which their progress was extremely slow. At night, the cold was very +great, but, as they scooped out a deep hollow in the snow, though they +attempted no fire, they were able to keep warm within their bearskins. +A second and a third day passed in like fashion, and their progress to +the south was unimpeded, though slow. They beheld no signs of human +life save their own, but invariably in the night, and often in the +day, they heard distant wolves howling. + +On the fourth day the temperature rose rapidly and the surface of +the snow softened, making their southward march much harder. Their +snowshoes clogged so much and the strain upon their ankles grew so +great that they decided to go into camp long before sunset, and give +themselves a thorough rest. They also scraped away the snow and +lighted a fire for the first time, no small task, as the snow was +still very deep, and it required much hunting to find the fallen +wood. But when the cheerful blaze came they felt repaid for all their +trouble. They rejoiced in the glow for an hour or so, and then Tayoga +decided that he would go on a short hunting trip along the course of a +stream that they could see about a quarter of a mile below. + +"It may be that I can rouse up a deer," he said. "They are likely to +be in the shelter of the thick bushes along the water's edge, but +whether I find them or not I will return shortly after sundown. Do you +await me here, Dagaeoga." + +"I won't stir. I'm too tired," said Robert. + +The Onondaga put on his snowshoes again, and strapped to his back his +share of the ammunition and supplies--it had been agreed by the two +that neither should ever go anywhere without his half, lest they +become separated. Then he departed on smooth, easy strokes, almost +like one who skated, and was soon out of sight among the bushes at the +edge of the stream. Robert settled back to the warmth and brightness +of the fire, and awaited in peace the sound of a shot telling that +Tayoga had found the deer. + +He had been so weary, and the blaze was so soothing that he sank into +a state, not sleep, but nevertheless full of dreams. He saw Willet +again, and heard him tell the tale how he had reached the lake and +the army with Garay's letter. He saw Colonel Johnson, and the young +English officer, Grosvenor, and Colden and Wilton and Carson and all +his old friends, and then he heard a crunch on the snow near him. Had +Tayoga come back so soon and without his deer? He did not raise his +drooping eyelids until he heard the crunch again, and then when he +opened them he sprang suddenly to his feet, his heart beating fast +with alarm. + +A half dozen dark figures rushed upon him. He snatched at his rifle +and tried to meet the first of them with a bullet, but the range was +too close. He nevertheless managed to get the muzzle in the air and +pull the trigger. He remembered even in that terrible moment to do +that much and Tayoga would hear the sharp, lashing report. Then the +horde was upon him. Someone struck him a stunning blow on the side of +the head with the flat of a tomahawk, and he fell unconscious. + +When he returned to the world, the twilight had come, the hole in the +snow had been enlarged very much, and so had the fire. Seated around +it were a dozen Indians, wrapped in thick blankets and armed heavily, +and one white man whose attire was a strange compound of savage and +civilized. He wore a three-cornered French military hat with a great, +drooping plume of green, an immense cloak of fine green cloth, lined +with fur, but beneath it he was clothed in buckskin. + +The man himself was as picturesque as his attire. He was young, his +face was lean and bold, his nose hooked and fierce like that of a +Roman leader, his skin, originally fair, now tanned almost to a +mahogany color by exposure, his figure of medium height, but obviously +very powerful. Robert saw at once that he was a Frenchman and he felt +instinctively that it was Langlade. But his head was aching from the +blow of the tomahawk, and he waited in a sort of apathy. + +"So you've come back to earth," said the Frenchman, who had seen his +eyes open--he spoke in good French, which Robert understood perfectly. + +"I never had any intention of staying away," replied young Lennox. + +The Frenchman laughed. + +"At least you show a proper spirit," he said. "I commend you also for +managing to fire your rifle, although the bullet hit none of us. It +gave the alarm to your comrade and he got clean away. I can make a +guess as to who you are." + +"My name is Robert Lennox." + +"I thought so, and your comrade was Tayoga, the Onondaga who is not +unknown to us, a great young warrior, I admit freely. I am sorry we +did not take him." + +"I don't think you'll get a chance to lay hands on him. He'll be too +clever for you." + +"I admit that, too. He's gone like the wind on his snowshoes. It seems +queer that you and he should be here in the mountain wilderness so far +north of your lines, in the very height of a fierce winter." + +"It's just as queer that you should be here." + +"Perhaps so, from your point of view, though it's lucky that I should +have been present with these dark warriors of mine when you were +taken. They suffered heavily in the battle by Andiatarocte, and but +for me they might now be using you as fuel. Don't wince, you know +their ways and I only tell a fact. In truth, I can't make you any +promise in regard to your ultimate fate, but, at present, I need you +alive more than I need you dead." + +"You won't get any military information out of me." + +"I don't know. We shall wait and see." + +"Do you know the Chevalier de St. Luc?" + +"Of course. All Frenchmen and all Canadians know him, or know of him, +but he is far from here, and we shall not tell him that we have a +young American prisoner. The chevalier is a great soldier and the +bravest of men, but he has one fault. He does not hate the English and +the Bostonnais enough." + +Robert was not bound, but his arms and snowshoes had been taken and +the Indians were all about him. There was no earthly chance of escape. +With the wisdom of the wise he resigned himself at once to his +situation, awaiting a better moment. + +"I'm at your command," he said politely to Langlade. + +The French leader laughed, partly in appreciation. + +"You show intelligence," he said. "You do not resist, when you see +that resistance is impossible." + +Robert settled himself into a more comfortable position by the fire. +His head still ached, but it was growing easier. He knew that it was +best to assume a careless and indifferent tone. + +"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later." + +Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt +more wood. They obeyed. Robert saw that they never questioned his +leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established +themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence. The others threw +away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, +and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which +all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs. + +Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he +was not hungry. He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel +enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the +present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind. +His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with +them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with +the reward, were content to wait. + +The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the +entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north. +The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was +turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity. He +had been certain at first of escape, but it did not seem so sure now. +In former wars many prisoners taken on raids into Canada had never +been heard of again, and when he reflected in cold blood he knew that +the odds were heavy against a successful flight. Yet there was Tayoga. +His warning shot had enabled the Onondaga to evade the band, and his +comrade would never desert him. All his surpassing skill and tenacity +would be devoted to his aid. In that lay his hope. + +They pressed on toward the north as fast as they could go, and when +night came they were all exhausted, but they ate heavily again and +Robert received his share. Langlade continued to treat him kindly, +though he still had the feeling that the partisan, if it served him, +would be fully as cruel as the Indians. At night, although they built +big fires, Langlade invariably posted a strong watch, and Robert +noticed also that he usually shared it, or a part of it, from which +habit he surmised that the partisan had received the name of the Owl. +He had hoped that Tayoga might have a chance to rescue him in the +dark, but he saw now that the vigilance was too great. + +He hid his intense disappointment and kept as cheerful a face as he +could. Langlade, the only white man in the Indian band, was drawn +to him somewhat by the mere fact of racial kinship, and the two +frequently talked together in the evenings in what was a sort of +compulsory friendliness, Robert in this manner picking up scraps of +information which when welded together amounted to considerable, being +thus confirmed in his belief that Willet with the letter had reached +the lake in time. St. Luc with a formidable force had undertaken a +swift march on Albany, but the town had been put in a position of +defense, and St. Luc's vanguard had been forced to retreat by a +large body of rangers after a severe conflict. As the success of the +chevalier's daring enterprise had depended wholly on surprise, he had +then withdrawn northward. + +But Robert could not find out by any kind of questions where St. Luc +was, although he learned that Garay had never returned to Albany and +that Hendrik Martinus had made an opportune flight. Langlade, who was +thoroughly a wilderness rover, talked freely and quite boastfully +of the French power, which he deemed all pervading and invincible. +Despite the battle at Lake George the fortunes of war had gone so far +in favor of France and Canada and against Britain and the Bostonnais. +When the great campaign was renewed in the spring more and bigger +victories would crown French valor. The Owl grew expansive as he +talked to the youth, his prisoner. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is coming to lead all our armies," he said, +"and he is a far abler soldier than Dieskau. You really did us a great +service when you captured the Saxon. Only a Frenchman is fit to +lead Frenchmen, and under a mighty captain we will crush you. The +Bostonnais are not the equal of the French in the forest. Save a few +like Willet, and Rogers, the English and Americans do not learn the +ways of woods warfare, nor do you make friends with the Indians as we +do." + +"That is true in the main," responded Robert, "but we shall win +despite it. Both the English and the English Colonials have the power +to survive defeat. Can the French and the Canadians do as well?" + +Langlade could not be shaken in his faith. He saw nothing but the most +brilliant victories, and not only did he boast of French power, but he +gloried even more in the strength of the Indian hordes, that had come +and that were coming in ever increasing numbers to the help of France. +Only the Hodenosaunee stood aloof from Québec, and he believed the +Great League even yet would be brought over to his side. + +Robert argued with the Owl, but he made no impression upon him. +Meanwhile they continued to march north by west. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +BEFORE MONTCALM + +The Owl, with his warriors and captive, descended in time into the low +country in the northwest. They, too, had been on snowshoes, but now they +discarded them, since they were entering a region in which little snow had +fallen, the severity of the weather abating greatly. Robert was still +treated well, though guarded with the utmost care. The Indians, who seemed +to be from some tribe about the Great Lakes, did not speak any dialect he +knew, and, if they understood English, they did not use it. He was +compelled to do all his talking with the Owl who, however, was not at all +taciturn. Robert saw early that while a wonderful woodsman and a born +partisan leader, he was also a Gascon, vain, boastful and full of words. He +tried to learn from him something about his possible fate, but he could +obtain no hint, until they had been traveling more than three weeks, and +Langlade had been mellowed by an uncommonly good supper of tender game, +which the Indians had cooked for him. + +"You've been trying to draw that information out of me ever since you were +captured," he said. "You were indirect and clever about it, but I noticed +it. I, Charles Langlade, have perceptions, you must understand. If I do +live in the woods I can read the minds of white men." + +"I know you can," said Robert, smilingly. "I observed from the first that +you had an acute intellect." + +"Your judgment does you credit, my young friend. I did not tell you what I +was going to do with you, because I did not know myself. I know more about +you than you think I do. One of my warriors was with Tandakora in several +of his battles with you and Willet, that mighty hunter whom the Indians +call the Great Bear, and Tayoga, the Onondaga, who is probably following on +our trail in the hope of rescuing you. I have also heard of you from +others. Oh, as I tell you, I, Charles Langlade, take note of all things. +You are a prisoner of importance. I would not give you to Tandakora, +because he would burn you, and a man does not burn valuable goods. I would +not send you to St. Luc, because, being a generous man, he might take some +foolish notion to exchange you, or even parole you. I would not give you to +the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec, because then I might lose my pawn in the +game, and, in any event, the Marquis Duquesne is retiring as Governor +General of New France." + +"Is that true? I have met him. He seemed to me to be a great man." + +"Perhaps he is, but he was too haughty and proud for the powerful men who +dwelt at Quebec, and who control New France. I have heard something of your +appearance at the capital with the Great Bear and the Onondaga, and of what +chanced at Bigot's ball, and elsewhere. Ah, you see, as I told you, I, +Charles Langlade, know all things! But to return, the Marquis Duquesne +gives way to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Oh, that was accomplished some time +ago, and perhaps you know of it. So, I do not wish to give you to the +Marquis de Vaudreuil. I might wait and present you to the Marquis de +Montcalm when he comes, but that does not please me, either, and thus I +have about decided to present you to the Dove." + +"The Dove! Who is the Dove?" + +Langlade laughed with intense enjoyment. + +"The Dove," he replied, "is a woman, none other than Madame de Langlade +herself, a Huron. You English do not marry Indian women often--and yet +Colonel William Johnson has taken a Mohawk to wife--but we French know them +and value them. Do not think to have an easy and careless jailer when you +are put in the hands of the Dove. She will guard you even more zealously +than I, Charles Langlade, and you will notice that I have neither given you +any opportunity to escape nor your friend, Tayoga, the slightest chance to +rescue you." + +"It is true, Monsieur Langlade. I've abandoned any such hope on the march, +although I may elude you later." + +"The Dove, as I told you, will attend to that. But it will be a pretty play +of wits, and I don't mind the test. I'm aware that you have intelligence +and skill, but the Dove, though a woman, possesses the wit of a great +chief, and I'll match her against you." + +There was a further abatement of the weather, and they reached a region +where there was no snow at all. Warm winds blew from the direction of the +Great Lakes and the band traveled fast through a land in which the game +almost walked up to their rifles to be killed, such plenty causing the +Indians, as usual, now that they were not on the war path, to feast +prodigiously before huge fires, Langlade often joining them, and showing +that he was an adept in Indian customs. + +One evening, just as they were about to light the fire, the warrior who had +been posted as sentinel at the edge of the forest gave a signal and a few +moments later a tall, spare figure in a black robe with a belt about the +waist appeared. Robert's heart gave a great leap. The wearer of the black +robe was an elderly man with a thin face, ascetic and high. The captive +recognized him at once. It was Father Philibert Drouillard, the priest, +whose life had already crossed his more than once, and it was not strange +to see him there, as the French priests roamed far through the great +wilderness of North America, seeking to save the souls of the savages. + +Langlade, when he beheld Father Drouillard, sprang at once to his feet, and +Robert also arose quickly. The priest saw young Lennox, but he did not +speak to him just yet, accepting the food that the Owl offered him, and +sitting down with his weary feet to the fire that had now been lighted. + +"You have traveled far, Father?" said Langlade, solicitously. + +"From the shores of Lake Huron. I have converts there, and I must see that +they do not grow weak in the faith." + +"All men, red and white, respect Philibert Drouillard. Why are you alone, +Father?" + +"A runner from the Christian village came with me until yesterday. Then I +sent him back, because I would not keep him too long from his people. I can +go the rest of the way alone, as it will be but a few days before I meet a +French force." + +Then he turned to Robert for the first time. + +"And you, my son," he said, "I am sorry it has fared thus with you." + +"It has not gone badly, Father," said Robert. "Monsieur de Langlade has +treated me well. I have naught to complain of save that I'm a prisoner." + +"It is a good lad, Charles Langlade," said the priest to the partisan, "and +I am glad he has suffered no harm at your hands. What do you purpose to do +with him?" + +"It is my present plan to take him to the village in which Madame Langlade, +otherwise the Dove, abides. He will be her prisoner until a further plan +develops, and you know how well she watches." + +A faint smile passed over the thin face of the priest. + +"It is true, Charles Langlade," he said. "That which escapes the eyes of +the Dove is very small, but I would take the lad with me to Montreal." + +"Nay, Father, that cannot be. I am second to nobody in respect for Holy +Church, and for you, Father Drouillard, whose good deeds are known to all, +and whose bad deeds are none, but those who fight the war must use their +judgment in fighting it, and the prisoners are theirs." + +Father Drouillard sighed. + +"It is so, Charles Langlade," he said, "but, as I have said, the prisoner +is a good youth. I have met him before, as I told you, and I would save +him. You know not what may happen in the Indian village, if you chance to +be away." + +"The Dove will have charge of him. She can be trusted." + +"And yet I would take him with me to Montreal. He will give his parole that +he will not attempt to escape on the way. It is the custom for prisoners to +be ransomed. I will send to you from Montreal five golden louis for him." + +Langlade shook his head. + +"Ten golden louis," said Father Drouillard. + +"Nay, Father, it is no use," said the partisan. "I cannot be tempted to +exchange him for money." + +"Fifteen golden louis, Charles Langlade, though I may have to borrow from +the funds of the Church to send them to you." + +"I respect your motive, Father, but 'tis impossible. This is a prisoner of +great value and I must use him as a pawn in the game of war. He was taken +fairly and I cannot give him up." + +Again Father Drouillard sighed, and this time heavily. + +"I would save you from captivity, Mr. Lennox," he said, "but, as you see, I +cannot." + +Robert was much moved. + +"I thank you, Father Drouillard, for your kind intentions," he said. "It +may be that some day I shall have a chance to repay them. Meanwhile, I do +not dread the coming hospitality of Madame Langlade." + +The priest shook his head sadly. + +"It is a great and terrible war," he said, "though I cannot doubt that +France will prevail, but I fear for you, my son, a captive in the vast +wilderness. Although you are an enemy and a heretic I have only good +feeling for you, and I know that the great Chevalier, St. Luc, also regards +you with favor." + +"Know you anything of St. Luc?" asked Robert eagerly. + +"Only that the expedition he was to lead against Albany has turned back and +that he has gone to Canada to fight under the banner of Montcalm, when he +comes with the great leaders, De Levis, Bourlamaque and the others." + +"I thought I might meet him." + +"Not here, with Charles Langlade." + +The priest spent the night with them and in the morning, after giving them +his blessing, captors and captive alike, he departed on his long and +solitary journey to Montreal. + +"A good man," said Robert, as he watched his tall, thin figure disappear in +the surrounding forest. + +"Truly spoken," said the Owl. "I am little of a churchman myself, the +forest and the war trail please me better, but the priests are a great prop +to France in the New World. They carry with them the authority of His +Majesty, King Louis." + +A week later they reached a small Indian village on Lake Ontario where the +Owl at present made his abode, and in the largest lodge of which his +patient spouse, the Dove, was awaiting him. She was young, much taller than +the average Indian woman, and, in her barbaric fashion, quite handsome. But +her face was one of the keenest and most alert Robert had ever seen. All +the trained observation of countless ancestors seemed stored in her and now +he understood why Langlade had boasted so often and so warmly of her skill +as a guard. She regarded him with a cold eye as she listened attentively to +her husband's instructions, and, for the remainder of that winter and +afterward, she obeyed them with a thoroughness beyond criticism. + +The village included perhaps four hundred souls, of whom about a hundred +were warriors. Langlade was king and Madame Langlade, otherwise the Dove, +was queen, the two ruling with absolute sovereignty, their authority due to +their superior intelligence and will and to the service they rendered to +the little state, because a state it was, organized completely in all its +parts, although composed of only a few hundred human beings. In the bitter +weather that came again, Langlade directed the hunting in the adjacent +forest and the fishing conducted on the great lake. He also made presents +from time to time of gorgeous beads or of huge red or yellow blankets that +had been sent from Montreal. Robert could not keep from admiring his +diplomacy and tact, and now he understood more thoroughly than ever how the +French partisans made themselves such favorites with the wild Indians. + +His own position in the village was tentative. Langlade still seemed +uncertain what to do with him, and held him meanwhile for a possible reward +of great value. He was never allowed to leave the cluster of tepees for the +forest, except with the warriors, but he took part in the fishing on the +lake, being a willing worker there, because idleness grew terribly irksome, +and, when he had nothing to do, he chafed over his long captivity. He slept +in a small tepee built against that of Monsieur and Madame Langlade, and +from which there was no egress save through theirs. + +He was enclosed only within walls of skin, and he believed that he might +have broken a way through them, but he felt that the eyes of the Dove were +always on him. He even had the impression that she was watching him while +he slept, and sometimes he dreamed that she was fanged and clawed like a +tigress. + +Langlade went away once, being gone a long time, and while he was absent +the Dove redoubled her watchfulness. Robert's singular impression that her +eyes were always on him was strengthened, and these eyes were increased to +the hundred of Argus and more. It became so oppressive that he was always +eager to go out with the warriors in their canoes for the fishing. On Lake +Ontario he was sure the eyes of the Dove could not reach him, but the work +was arduous and often perilous. The great lake was not to be treated +lightly. Often it took toll of the Indians who lived around its shores. +Winter storms came up suddenly, the waves rolled like those of the sea, +freezing spray dashed over them, and it required a supreme exertion of +both skill and strength to keep the light canoes from being swamped. + +Yet Robert was always happier on water than on land. On shore, confined +closely and guarded zealously, his imaginative temperament suffered and he +became moody and depressed, but on the lakes, although still a captive, he +felt the winds of freedom. When the storms came and the icy blasts swept +down upon them he responded, body and soul. Relief and freedom were to be +found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore +refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh. He also had a feeling that +Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little +Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but +he never saw any. + +The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they +belonged, was the most terrible burden of all. If the Indians had news they +told him none. He seemed to have vanished completely. But, however numerous +may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that +yields. The flexible steel always rebounded. He took thorough care of his +health and strength. In his close little tepee he flexed and tensed his +muscles and went through physical exercises every night and morning, but it +was on the lake in the fishing, where the Indians grew to recognize his +help, that he achieved most. Fighting the winds, the water and the cold, he +felt his muscles harden and his chest enlarge, and he would say to himself +that when the spring came and he escaped he would be more fit for the life +of a free forest runner than he had ever been before. Langlade, when he +returned, took notice of his increased size and strength and did not +withhold approval. + +"I like any prisoner of mine to flourish," he laughed. "The more superior +you become the greater will be the reward for me when I dispose of you. You +have found the Dove all I promised you she should be, haven't you, Monsieur +Lennox?" + +"All and more," replied Robert. "Although she may be out of sight I feel +that her eyes are always on me, and this is true of the night as well as +the day." + +"A great woman, the Dove, and a wife to whom I give all credit. If it +should come into the king's mind to call me to Versailles and bestow upon +me some kind of an accolade perhaps Madame Langlade would not feel at home +in the great palace nor at the Grand Trianon, nor even at the Little +Trianon, and maybe I wouldn't either. But since no such idea will enter His +Majesty's mind, and I have no desire to leave the great forests, the Dove +is a perfect wife for me. She is the true wilderness helpmate, accomplished +in all the arts of the life I live and love, and with the eye and soul of a +warrior. I repeat, young Monsieur Lennox, where could I find a wife more +really sublime?" + +"Nowhere, Monsieur Langlade. The more I see you two together the more +nearly I think you are perfectly matched." + +The Owl seemed pleased with the recognition of his marital felicity, and +grew gracious, dropping some crumbs of information for Robert. He had been +to Montreal and the arrival of the great soldier, the Marquis de Montcalm, +with fresh generals and fresh troops from France, was expected daily at +Quebec. The English, although their fleets were larger, could not intercept +them, and it was now a certainty that the spring campaign would sweep over +Albany and almost to New York. He spoke with so much confidence, in truth +with such an absolute certainty, that Robert's heart sank and then came +back again with a quick rebound. + +After a winter that had seemed to the young captive an age, spring came +with a glorious blossoming and blooming. The wilderness burst into green +and the great lake shining in the sun became peaceful and friendly. Warm +winds blew out of the west and the blood flowed more swiftly in human +veins. But spring passed and summer came. Then Langlade announced that he +would depart with the best of the warriors, and that Robert would go with +him, although he refused absolutely to say where or for what purpose. + +Robert's joy was dimmed in nowise by his ignorance of his destination. He +had not found the remotest chance to escape while in the village, but it +might come on the march, and there was also a relief and pleasant +excitement in entering the wilderness again. He joyously made ready, the +Dove gave her lord and equal, not her master, a Spartan farewell, and the +formidable band, Robert in the center, plunged into the forest. + +When the great mass of green enclosed them he felt a mighty surge of hope. +His imaginative temperament was on fire. A chance for him would surely +come. Tayoga might be hidden in the thickets. Action brought renewed +courage. Langlade, who was watching him, smiled. + +"I read your mind, young Monsieur Lennox," he said. "Have I not told you +that I, Charles Langlade, have the perceptions? Do I not see and interpret +everything?" + +"Then what do you see and interpret now?" + +"A great hope in your heart that you will soon bid us farewell. You think +that when we are deep in the forest it will not be difficult to elude our +watch. And yet you could not escape when we were going through this same +forest to the village. Now why do you think it will be easier when you are +going through it again, but away?" + +"The Dove is not at the end of the march. Her eyes will no longer be upon +me." + +The Owl laughed deeply and heartily. + +"You're a lad of sense," he said, "when you lay such a tribute at the feet +of that incomparable woman, that model wife, that true helpmate in every +sense of the word. Why should you be anxious to leave us? I could have you +adopted into the tribe, and you know the ceremony of adoption is sacred +with the Indians. And let me whisper another little fact in your ear which +will surely move you. The Dove has a younger sister, so much like her that +they are twins in character if not in years. She will soon be of +marriageable age, and she shall be reserved for you. Think! Then you will +be my brother-in-law and the brother-in-law of the incomparable Dove." + +"No! No!" exclaimed Robert hastily. + +Now the laughter of the Owl was uncontrollable. His face writhed and his +sides shook. + +"A lad does not recognize his own good!" he exclaimed, "or is it +bashfulness? Nay, don't be afraid, young Monsieur Lennox! Perhaps I could +get the Dove to intercede for you!" + +Robert was forced to smile. + +"I thank you," he said, "but I am far from the marriageable age myself." + +"Then the Dove and I are not to have you for a brother-in-law?" said +Langlade. "You show little appreciation, young Monsieur Lennox, when it is +so easy for you to become a member of such an interesting family." + +Robert was confirmed in his belief that there was much of the wild man in +the Owl, who in many respects had become more Indian than the Indians. He +was a splendid trailer, a great hunter, and the hardships of the forest +were nothing to him. He read every sign of the wilderness and yet he +retained all that was French also, lightness of manner, gayety, quick wit +and a politeness that never failed. It is likely that the courage and +tenacity of the French leaders were never shown to better advantage than in +the long fight they made for dominion in North America. Despite the fact +that he was an enemy, and his belief that Langlade could be ruthless, on +occasion, Robert was compelled to like him. + +The journey, the destination yet unknown to him, was long, but it was not +tedious to the young prisoner. He watched the summer progress and the +colors deepen and he was cheered continually by the hope of escape, a fact +that Langlade recognized and upon which he commented in a detached manner, +from time to time. Now and then the leader himself went ahead with a scout +or two and one morning he said to Robert: + +"I saw something in the forest last night." + +"The forest contains much," said Robert. + +"But this was of especial interest to you. It was the trace of a footstep, +and I am convinced it was made by your friend Tayoga, the Onondaga. +Doubtless he is seeking to effect your escape." + +Robert's heart gave a leap, and there was a new light in his eyes, of which +the shrewd Owl took notice. + +"I have heard of the surpassing skill of the Onondaga," he continued, "but +I, Charles Langlade, have skill of my own. It will be some time before we +arrive at the place to which we are going, and I lay you a wager that +Tayoga does not rescue you." + +"I have no money, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, "and if I had I could +not accept a wager upon such a subject." + +"Then we'll let it be mental, wholly. My skill is matched against the +combined knowledge of Tayoga and yourself. He'll never be able, no matter +how dark the night, to get near our camp and communicate with you." + +Although Robert hoped and listened often in the dusk for the sound of a +signal from Tayoga, Langlade made good his boast. The two were able to +establish no communication. It was soon proved that he was in the forest +near them, one of the warriors even catching a sufficient glimpse of his +form for a shot, which, however, went wild. The Onondaga did not reply, +and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the +knowledge that he was near. He had a faithful and powerful friend who would +help him some day, be it soon or late. + +The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was +done. + +"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the +Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself. I, Charles +Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so." + +"What, Montcalm near?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest. + +"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see +a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army." + +"The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness?" + +"That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods. I have some +curiosity on the subject myself." + +An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert +saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place. The tents +stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, +while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts. A large white marquee +near the center he was sure was that of the commander-in-chief, and he was +eager to see at once the famous Montcalm, of whom he was hearing so much. +But to his intense disappointment, Langlade went into camp with the +Indians. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is a great man," he said, "the commander-in-chief +of all the forces of His Majesty, King Louis, in North America, and even I, +Charles Langlade, will not approach him without ceremony. We will rest in +the edge of the forest, and when he hears that I have come he will send for +me, because he will want to know many things which none other can tell him. +And it may be, young Monsieur Lennox, that, in time, he will wish to see +you also." + +So Robert waited with as much patience as he could muster, although he +slept but little that night, the noises in the great French camp and his +own curiosity keeping him awake. What was Montcalm doing so far from the +chief seats of the French power in Canada, and did the English and +Americans know that he was here? + +Curiously enough he had little apprehension for himself, it was rather a +feeling of joy that he had returned to the world of great affairs. Soon he +would know what had been occurring during the long winter when he was +buried in an Indian village, and he might even hear of Willet. Toward dawn +he slept a little, and after daylight he was awakened by Langlade who was +as assured and talkative as usual. + +"It may be, my gallant young prisoner," he said, ruffling and strutting, +"that I am about to lose you, but if it is so it will be for value +received. I, Charles Langlade, have seen the great Marquis de Montcalm, but +it was an equal speaking to an equal. It was last night in his grand +marquee, where he sat surrounded by his trusted lieutenants, De Levis, St. +Luc, Bourlamaque, Coulon de Villiers and the others. But I was not daunted +at all. I repeat that it was an equal speaking to an equal, and the Marquis +was pleased to commend me for the work I have already done for France." + +"And St. Luc was there?" + +"He was. The finest figure of them all. A brave and generous man and a +great leader. He stood at the right hand of the Marquis de Montcalm, while +I talked and he listened with attention, because the Chevalier de St. Luc +is always willing to learn from others. No false pride about him! And the +Marquis de Montcalm is like him. I gave the commander-in-chief much +excellent advice which he accepted with gratitude, and in return for you, +whom he expects to put to use, he has raised me in rank, and has extended +my authority over the western tribes. Ah, I knew that you were a prize when +I captured you, and I was wise to save you as a pawn." + +"How can I be of any value to the Marquis de Montcalm?" + +"That is to be seen. He knows his own plans best. You are to come with me +at once into his presence." + +Robert was immediately in a great stir. He straightened out, and, with his +hands, brushed his own clothing, smoothed his hair, intending, with his +usual desire for neatness, to make the best possible appearance before the +French leader. + +After breakfast Langlade took him to the great marquee in which Montcalm +sat, as the morning was cool, and when their names had been taken in a +young officer announced that they might enter, the officer, to Robert's +great surprise, being none other than De Galissonnière, who showed equal +amazement at meeting him there. The Frenchman gave him a hearty grasp of +the hand in English fashion, but they did not have time to say anything. + +Robert, walking by the side of Langlade, entered the great tent with some +trepidation, and beheld a swarthy man of middle years, in the uniform of a +general of France, giving orders to two officers who stood respectfully at +attention. Neither of the officers was St. Luc, nor were they among those +whom Robert had seen at Quebec. He surmised, however, that they were De +Levis and Bourlamaque, and he learned soon that he was right. Langlade +paused until Montcalm was ready to speak to him, and Robert stood in +silence at his side. Montcalm finished what he had to say and turned his +eyes upon the young prisoner. His countenance was mild, but Robert felt +that his gaze was searching. + +"And this, Captain Langlade," he said, "is the youth of whom you were +speaking?" + +So the Owl had been made a captain, and the promotion had been one of his +rewards. Robert was not sorry. + +"It is the one, sir," replied Langlade, "young Monsieur Robert Lennox. He +has been a prisoner in my village all the winter, and he has as friends +some of the most powerful people in the British Colonies." + +Montcalm continued to gaze at Robert as if he would read his soul. + +"Sit down, Mr. Lennox," he said, not unkindly, motioning him to a little +stool. Robert took the indicated seat and so quick is youth to warm to +courtesy that he felt respect and even liking for the Marquis, official and +able enemy though he knew him to be. De Levis and Bourlamaque also were +watching him with alert gaze, but they said nothing. + +"I hear," continued Montcalm, with a slight smile, "that you have not +suffered in Captain Langlade's village, and that you have adapted yourself +well to wild life." + +"I've had much experience with the wilderness," said Robert. "Most of my +years have been passed there, and it was easy for me to live as Captain +Langlade lived. I've no complaint to make of his treatment, though I will +say that he has guarded me well." + +Montcalm laughed. + +"It agrees with Captain Langlade's own account," he said. "I suppose that +one must be born, or at least pass his youth in it, to get the way of this +vast wilderness. We of old Europe, where everything has been ruled and +measured for many centuries, can have no conception of it until we see it, +and even then we do not understand it. Although with an army about me I +feel lost in so much forest. But enough of that. It is of yourself and not +of myself that I wish to speak. I have heard good reports of you from one +of my own officers, who, though he has been opposed to you many times, +nevertheless likes you." + +"The Chevalier de St. Luc!" + +"Aye, the Chevalier de St. Luc. I know, also, that you have been in the +councils of some of the Colonial leaders. You are a friend of Sir William +Johnson." + +"Colonel William Johnson?" + +"No, Sir William Johnson. In reward for the affair at Lake George, in which +our Dieskau was unfortunate, he has been made a baronet by the British +king." + +"I am glad." + +"And doubtless Sir William is also. You know him well, I understand, and he +was still at the lake when you left on the journey that led to your +capture." + +Robert was silent. + +"I have not asked you to answer," continued Montcalm, "but I assume that it +is so. His army, although it was victorious in the battle there, did not +advance. There was much disagreement among the governors of the British +Colonies. The provinces could not be induced to act together?" + +Robert was still silent. + +"Again I say I am not asking you to answer, but your silence confirms the +truth of our reports." + +Robert flushed, and a warm reply trembled on his lips, but he restrained +the words. A swift smile passed over the dark face of Montcalm. + +"You see, Mr. Lennox," he continued, "I am not asking you to say anything, +but there was great disappointment among the British Colonials because +there was no advance after the battle at the lake. It has also cooled the +enthusiasm of the Iroquois, many of whom have gone home and who perhaps +will take no further part in the war as the allies of the English." + +Again Robert flushed and again he bit back the hot reply. He looked +uneasily at De Levis and Bourlamaque, but their faces expressed nothing. +Then Montcalm suddenly changed the subject. + +"I am going to make you a very remarkable offer," he said, "and do not +think for a moment it is going to imply any change of colors on your part, +or the least suspicion of treason, which I could not ask of the gentleman +you obviously are. I request of you your parole, your word of honor that +you will not take any further part in this war." + +"I can't do it! As I have often told Captain Langlade, I intend to escape." + +"That is impossible. If you could not do so when you were in Captain +Langlade's village, you have no chance at all now that you are surrounded +by an army. But since you will not give me your parole it will become +necessary to keep you as a prisoner of war, and to send you to a safe +place." + +"Many of our people in this and former wars with the French have been held +prisoners in the Province of Quebec. I know somewhat of the city of Quebec, +and it is not wholly an unpleasant place." + +"I did not have Quebec, either the province or the city, in mind so far as +concerns you, Mr. Lennox. Three of our ships are to return shortly to +France, and, not wishing to give us your parole, you are to go to France." + +"To France?" + +"Yes, to France. Where else? And you should rejoice. It is a fair and +glorious land. And I have heard there is a spirit in you, Mr. Lennox, which +is almost French, a kindred touch, a Gallic salt and savor, so to speak." + +"I'm wholly American and British." + +"Perhaps there are others who know you better than you know yourself. I +repeat, there is about you a French finish. Why should you deny it? You +should be proud of it. We are the oldest of the great civilized nations, +and the first in culture. Your stay in France should be very pleasant. You +can drink there at the fountain of ancient culture and glory. The +wilderness is magnificent in its way, but high civilization is magnificent +also in its own and another way. You can see Paris, the city of light, the +center of the world, and you can behold the splendid court of His Majesty, +King Louis. That should appeal to a young man of taste and discernment." + +Robert felt a thrill and his pulses leaped, but the thrill lasted only a +moment. It was clearly impossible that he should go even as a prisoner, +though a willing one, to France, and he did not see any reason why the +Marquis de Montcalm should take any personal interest in his future. But +responding invariably to the temperature about him his manner was now as +polite as that of the French general. + +"You have my thanks, sir," he said, "for the kindly way in which you offer +to treat a prisoner, but it is impossible for me to go to France, unless +you should choose to send me there by sheer force." + +The slight smile passed again over the face of the Marquis de Montcalm. + +"I fancied, young sir," he said, "that this would be your answer, and, +being what it is, I cannot say that it has lowered you aught in my esteem. +For the present, you abide with us." + +Robert bowed. Montcalm inspired in him a certain liking, and a decided +respect. Then, still under the escort of Langlade, he withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +Robert returned with Langlade to the partisan's camp at the edge of the +forest adjoining that of the main French army, where the Indian warriors +had lighted fires and were cooking steaks of the deer. He was disposed to +be silent, but Langlade as usual chattered volubly, discoursing of French +might and glory, but saying nothing that would indicate to his prisoner the +meaning of the present military array in the forest. + +Robert did not hear more than half of the Owl's words, because he was +absorbed in those of Montcalm, which still lingered in his mind. Why should +the Marquis wish to send him to France, and to have him treated, when he +was there, more as a guest than as a prisoner? Think as he would he could +find no answer to the question, but the Owl evidently had been impressed by +his reception from Montcalm, as he treated him now with distinguished +courtesy. He also seemed particularly anxious to have the good opinion of +the lad who had been so long his prisoner. + +"Have I been harsh to you?" he asked with a trace of anxiety in his tone. +"Have I not always borne myself toward you as if you were an important +prisoner of war? It is true I set the Dove as an invincible sentinel over +you, but as a good soldier and loyal son of France I could do no less. Now, +I ask you, Monsieur Robert Lennox, have not I, Charles Langlade, conducted +myself as a fair and considerate enemy?" + +"If I were to escape and be captured again, Captain Langlade, it is my +sincere wish that you should be my captor the second time, even as you were +the first." + +The Owl was gratified, visibly and much, and then he announced a visitor. +Robert sprang to his feet as he saw St. Luc approaching, and his heart +throbbed as always when he was in the presence of this man. The chevalier +was in a splendid uniform of white and silver unstained by the forest. His +thick, fair hair was clubbed in a queue and powdered neatly, and a small +sword, gold hilted, hung at his belt. He was the finest and most gallant +figure that Robert had yet seen in the wilderness, the very spirit and +essence of that brave and romantic France with which England and her +colonies were fighting a duel to the death. And yet St. Luc always seemed +to him too the soul of knightly chivalry, one to whom it was impossible for +him to bear any hostility that was not merely official. His own hand went +forward to meet the extended hand of the chevalier. + +"We seem destined to meet many times, Mr. Lennox," said St. Luc, "in +battle, and even under more pleasant conditions. I had heard that you were +the prisoner of our great forest ranger, Captain Langlade, and that you +would be received by our commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm." + +"He made me a most extraordinary offer, that I go as a prisoner of war to +Paris, but almost in the state of a guest." + +"And you thought fit to decline, which was unwise in you, though to be +expected of a lad of spirit. Sit down, Mr. Lennox, and we can have our +little talk in ease and comfort. It may be that I have something to do with +the proposition of the Marquis de Montcalm. Why not reconsider it and go to +France? England is bound to lose the war in America. We have the energy and +the knowledge. The Indian tribes are on our side. Even the powerful +Hodenosaunee may come over to us in time, and at the worst it will become +neutral. As a prisoner in France you will have no share in defeat, but +perhaps that does not appeal to you." + +"It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many +kindnesses to me, although I don't understand them. Your solicitude for my +welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a +source of wonderment in my mind." + +"Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to +harm." + +Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, +and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of +all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked +him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back +presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even +Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal +most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than +once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the +city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there +as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became +enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took +on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed +a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment. + +"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your +will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would +listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good." + +"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak +lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should +go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy +to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am +in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I +meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you." + +The chevalier laughed. + +"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and +patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But +'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say +our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain +Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in +readiness to depart tomorrow morning." + +Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but, +before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would +go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they +were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, +that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of +defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made +another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly. +Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of +his general's plans. Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for +battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into +the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze. The young prisoner's back +was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating +like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the +eyes of Tandakora. + +The huge Ojibway was more huge than ever. Robert was convinced that he was +the largest man he had ever seen, not only the tallest, but the broadest, +and the heaviest, and his very lack of clothing--he wore only a belt, +breech cloth, leggings and moccasins--seemed to increase his size. His vast +shoulders, chest and arms were covered with paint, and the scars of old +wounds, the whole giving to him the appearance of some primeval giant, +sinister and monstrous. He carried a fine, new rifle of French make and two +double barreled pistols; a tomahawk and knife swung from his belt. + +Robert, nevertheless, met that full gaze firmly. He shut from his mind what +he might have had to suffer from Tandakora had the Ojibway held him a +captive in the forest, but here he was not Tandakora's prisoner, and he was +in the midst of the French army. Centering all his will and soul into the +effort he stared straight into the evil eyes of the Indian, until those of +his antagonist were turned away. + +"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade. + +"Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter +came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario." + +"It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we +call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to +Onontio at Quebec. The nations of the Hodenosaunee call him Dagaeoga, and +he is a danger to us. I would buy him from you. I will send to you for him +fifty of the finest buffalo robes taken from the great western plains." + +"Not for fifty buffalo robes, Tandakora, no matter how fine they are." + +"Ten packs of the finest beaver skins, fifty in each pack." + +"It's no use to bid for him, Tandakora. I don't sell captives. Moreover, he +has passed out of my hands. I have had my reward for him. His fate rests +now with the Chevalier de St. Luc and the Marquis de Montcalm." + +The Ojibway's face showed foiled malice. "It is a snake that the Owl warms +in his bosom," he said, and strode away. The partisan followed him with +observant eyes. + +"It is evident that the Ojibway chief bears you no love, young Monsieur +Lennox," he said. "Now that you have served the purposes for which I held +you I wish you no harm, and so I bid you beware of Tandakora." + +"Your advice is good and well meant, and for it I thank you," said Robert; +"but I've known Tandakora a long time. My friends and I have met him in +several encounters and we've not had the worst of them." + +"I judged so by his manner. All the more reason then why you should beware +of him. I repeat the warning." + +Robert was not bound, and he was permitted to roll himself in a blanket and +sleep with his feet to the fire, an Indian on either side of him. Save +where a space had been cleared for the French army, the primeval forest, +heavy in the foliage of early spring, was all about them, and the wind that +sang through the leaves united with the murmuring of a creek, beside which +Langlade had pitched his camp. + +Slumber was slow in coming to Robert. Too much had occurred for his +faculties to slip away at once into oblivion. His interview with Montcalm, +his meeting with St. Luc, and the appearance of Tandakora at the camp +fire, stirred him mightily. Events were certainly marching, and, while he +tried to coax slumber to come, he listened to the noises of the camp and +the forest. Where the French tents were spread, men were softly singing +songs of their ancient land, and beyond them sentinels in neat uniforms +were walking back and forth among trees that had never beheld uniforms +before. + +The sounds sank gradually, but Robert did not yet sleep. He found a +peculiar sort of interest in detaching these murmurs from one another, the +stamp of impatient horses, the moving of arms, the last dying, notes of a +song, the whisper of the creek's waters, and then, plainly separate from +the others, he heard a faint, unmistakable swish, a noise that he knew, +that of an arrow flying through the air. Langlade knew it too, and sprang +up with an angry cry. + +"Now, has some warrior got hold of whiskey to indulge in this madness?" he +exclaimed. + +The faint swish came a second time, and Robert, who had risen to his feet, +saw two arrows standing upright in the earth not twenty feet away. Langlade +saw them also and swore. + +"They must have come in a wide curve overhead," he said, "or they would not +be standing almost straight up in the earth, and that does not seem like +the madness of liquor." + +He looked suspiciously at the forest, in which Indian sentinels had been +posted, but which, nevertheless, was so dark that a cunning form might +pass there unseen. + +"There is more in this than meets the eye," muttered the partisan, and +drawing the arrows from the earth he examined them by the light of the +fire. Robert stood by, silent, but his eyes fell on fresh marks with a +knife, near the barb on each weapon, and the great pulse in his throat +leaped. The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had +cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a +bear. + +The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive +comprehended it at once. It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan +of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the +Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear. +It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him. Had ever a man +a more faithful comrade? The Onondaga was still following in the hope of +making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living. Once +more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith. + +"Now what do these marks mean?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows +suspiciously. + +"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied +Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing." + +"I'm not so sure of that. I've lived long enough among the Indians to know +they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted +so close together it must be some sort of a signal. It may have been +intended for you." + +Robert was silent, and the partisan did not ask him any further questions, +but, being much disturbed, sent into the forest scouts, who returned +presently, unable to find anything. + +"It may or it may not have been a message," he said, speaking to Robert, in +his usual garrulous fashion, "but I still incline to the opinion that it +was, though I may never know what the message meant, but I, Charles +Langlade, have not been called the Owl for nothing. If it refers to you +then your chance of escape has not increased. I hold you merely for +tonight, but I hold you tight and fast. Tomorrow my responsibility ceases, +and you march in the middle of Montcalm's army." + +Robert made no reply, but he was in wonderful spirits, and his elation +endured. His senses, in truth, were so soothed by the visible evidence that +his comrade was near that he fell asleep very soon and had no dreams. The +French and Indian army began its march early the next morning, and Robert +found himself with about a dozen other prisoners, settlers who had been +swept up in its advance. They had been surprised in their cabins, or their +fields, newly cleared, and could tell him nothing, but he noticed that the +march was west. + +He believed they were not far from Lake Ontario, and he had no doubt that +Montcalm had prepared some fell stroke. His mind settled at last upon +Oswego, where the Anglo-American forces had a post supposed to be strong, +and he was smitten with a fierce and commanding desire to escape and take a +warning. But he was compelled to eat his heart out without result. With +French and Indians all about him he had not the remotest chance and, +helpless, he was compelled to watch the Marquis de Montcalm march to what +he felt was going to be a French triumph. + +Swarms of Indian scouts and skirmishers preceded the army and Canadian +axmen cut a way for the artillery, but to Robert's great amazement these +operations lasted only a short time. Almost before he could realize it they +had emerged from the deep woods and he looked again upon the vast, shining +reaches of Lake Ontario. Then he learned for the first time that Montcalm's +army had come mostly in boats and in detachments, and was now united for +attack. As he had surmised, Oswego, which the English and Americans had +intended to be a great stronghold and rallying place in the west, was the +menaced position. + +Robert from a hill saw three forts before the French force, the largest +standing upon a plateau of considerable elevation on the east bank of the +river, which there flowed into the lake. It was shaped like a star, and the +fortifications consisted of trunks of trees, sharpened at the ends, driven +deep into the ground, and set as close together as possible. On the west +side of the river was another fort of stone and clay, and four hundred +yards beyond it was an unfinished stockade, so weak that its own garrison +had named it in derision Rascal Fort. Some flat boats and canoes lay in the +lake, and it was a man in one of these canoes who had been the first to +learn of the approach of Montcalm's army, so slender had been the +precautions taken by the officers in command of the forts. + +"We have come upon them almost as if we had dropped from the clouds," said +Langlade, exultingly, to Robert. "When they thought the Marquis de Montcalm +was in Montreal, lo! he was here! It is the French who are the great +leaders, the great soldiers and the great nation! Think you we would allow +ourselves to be surprised as Oswego has been?" + +Robert made no reply. His heart sank like a plummet in a pool. Already he +heard the crackling fire of musketry from the Indians who, sheltered in the +edge of the forest, were sending bullets against the stout logs of Fort +Ontario, but which could offer small resistance to cannon. And while the +sharpshooting went on, the French officers were planting the batteries, one +of four guns directly on the strand. The work was continued at a great pace +all through the night, and when Robert awoke from an uneasy sleep, in the +morning, he saw that the French had mounted twenty heavy cannon, which soon +poured showers of balls and grape and canister upon the log fort. He also +saw St. Luc among the guns directing their fire, while Tandakora's Indians +kept up an incessant and joyous yelling. + +The defenders of the stockade maintained a fire from rifles and several +small cannon, but it did little harm in the attacking army and Robert was +soldier enough to know that the log walls could not hold. While St. Luc +sent in the fire from the batteries faster and faster, a formidable force +of Canadians and Indians led by Rigaud, one of the best of Montcalm's +lieutenants, crossed the river, the men wading in the water up to their +waists, but holding their rifles over their heads. + +Tandakora was in this band, shouting savagely, and so was Langlade, but +Robert and the other prisoners, left under guard on the hill, saw +everything distinctly. They had no hope whatever that the chief fort, or +any of the forts, could hold out. Fragments of the logs were already flying +in the air as the stream of cannon balls beat upon them. The garrison made +a desperate resistance, but the cramped place was crowded with +women--settlers' wives--as well as men, the commander was killed, and at +last the white flag was hoisted on all the forts. + +Then the Indians, intoxicated with triumph and the strong liquors they had +seized, rushed in and began to ply the tomahawk. Montcalm, horrified, used +every effort to stop the incipient butchery, and St. Luc, Bourlamaque and, +in truth, all of his lieutenants, seconded him gallantly. Tandakora and his +men were compelled to return their tomahawks to their belts, and then the +French army was drawn around the captives, who numbered hundreds and +hundreds. + +It was another French and Indian victory like that over Braddock, though it +was not marked by the destruction of an army, and Robert's heart sank lower +and lower. He knew that it would be appalling news to Boston, to Albany and +to New York. The Marquis de Montcalm had justified the reputation that +preceded him. He had struck suddenly with lightning swiftness and with +terrible effect. Not only this blow, but its guarantee of others to come, +filled Robert's heart with fear for the future. + +The sun sank upon a rejoicing army. The Indians were still yelling and +dancing, and, though they were no longer allowed to sink their tomahawks in +the heads of their defenseless foes, they made imaginary strokes with them, +and shouted ferociously as they leaped and capered. + +Robert was on the strand near the shore of the lake, and wearied by his +long day of watching that which he wished least in the world to see, he sat +down on a sand heap, and put his head in his hands. Peculiarly sensitive to +atmosphere and surroundings, he was, for the moment, almost without hope. +But he knew, even when he was in despair, that his courage would come back. +It was one of the qualities of a temperament such as his that while he +might be in the depths at one hour he would be on the heights at the next. + +Several of the Indians, apparently those who had got at the liquor, were +careering up and down the sands, showing every sign of the blood madness +that often comes in the moment of triumph upon savage minds. Robert raised +his face from his hands and looked to see if Tandakora was among them, but +he caught no glimpse of the gigantic Ojibway. The French soldiers who were +guarding the prisoners gazed curiously at the demoniac figures. They were +of the battalions Bearn and Guienne and they had come newly from France. +Plunged suddenly into the wilderness, such sights as they now beheld +filled them with amazement, and often created a certain apprehension. They +were not so sure that their wild allies were just the kind of allies they +wanted. + +The sun set lower upon the savage scene, casting a dark glow over the +ruined forts, the troops, the leaping savages and the huddled prisoners. +One of the Indians danced and bounded more wildly than all the rest. He was +tall, but slim, apparently youthful, and he wore nothing except breech +cloth, leggings and moccasins, his naked body a miracle of savage painting. +Robert by and by watched him alone, fascinated by his extraordinary agility +and untiring enthusiasm. His figure seemed to shoot up in the air on +springs, and, with a glittering tomahawk, he slew and scalped an imaginary +foe over and over again, and every time the blade struck in the air he let +forth a shout that would have done credit to old Stentor himself. He ranged +up and down the beach, and presently, when he was close to Robert, he grew +more violent than ever, as if he were worked by some powerful mechanism +that would not let him rest. He had all the appearance of one who had gone +quite mad, and as he bounded near them, his tomahawk circling about his +head, the French guards shrank back, awed, and, at the same time, not +wishing to have any conflict with their red allies, who must be handled +with the greatest care. + +The man paused a moment before the young prisoner, whirled his tomahawk +about his head and uttered a ferocious shout. Robert looked straight into +the burning eyes, started violently and then became outwardly calm, though +every nerve and muscle in him was keyed to the utmost tension. "To the +lake!" exclaimed the Indian under his breath and then he danced toward the +water. + +Robert did not know at first what the words meant, and he waited in +indecision, but he saw that the care of the guards, owing to the confusion, +the fact that the battle was over, and the rejoicing for victory, was +relaxed. It would seem, too, that escape at such a time and place was +impossible, and that circumstance increased their inattention. + +The youth watched the dancing warrior, who was now moving toward the water, +over which the darkness of night had spread. But the lake was groaning with +a wind from the north, and several canoes near the beach were bobbing up +and down. The dancer paused a moment at the very edge of the water, and +looked back at Robert. Then he advanced into the waves themselves. + +All the young prisoner's indecision departed in a flash. The signal was +complete and he understood. He sprang violently against the French soldier +who stood nearest him and knocked him to the ground. Then with three or +four bounds he was at the water's edge, leaping into the canoe, just as +Tayoga settled himself into place there, and, seizing a paddle, pushed away +with powerful shoves. + +Robert nearly upset the canoe, but the Onondaga quickly made it regain its +balance, and then they were out on the lake under the kindly veil of the +night. The fugitive said nothing, he knew it was no time to speak, because +Tayoga's powerful back was bending with his mighty efforts and the bullets +were pattering in the water behind them. It was luck that the canoe was a +large one, partaking more of the nature of a boat, as Robert could remain +concealed on the bottom without tipping it over, while the Onondaga +continued to put all his nervous power and skill into his strokes. It was +equally fortunate, also, that the night had come and that the dusk was +thick, as it distracted yet further the hasty aim of the French and Indians +on shore. One bullet from a French rifle grazed Robert's shoulder, another +was deflected from Tayoga's paddle without striking it from his hand, but +in a few minutes they were beyond the range of those who stood on the bank, +although lead continued to fall in the water behind them. + +"Now you can rise, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, "and use the extra paddle +that I took the precaution to stow in the boat. Do not think because you +are an escaped prisoner that you are to rest in idleness and luxury, doing +no work while I do it all." + +"God bless you, Tayoga!" exclaimed Robert, in the fullness of his emotion. +"I'll work a week without stopping if you say so. I'm so glad to see you +that I'll do anything you say, and ask no questions. But I want to tell you +you're the most wonderful dancer and jumper in America!" + +"I danced and jumped so well, Dagaeoga, because your need made me do so. +Necessity gives a wonderful spring to the muscles. Behold how long and +strong you sweep with the paddle because the bullets of the enemy impel +you." + +"Which way are we going, Tayoga? What is your plan?" + +"Our aim at this moment, Dagaeoga, is the middle of the lake, because the +sons of Onontio and the warriors of Tandakora are all along the beach, and +would be waiting for us with rifle and tomahawk should we seek to land. +This is but a small boat in which we sit and it could not resist the waves +of a great storm, but at present it is far safer for us than any land near +by." + +"Of course you're right, Tayoga, you always are, but we're in the thick of +the darkness now, so you rest awhile and let me do the paddling alone." + +"It is a good thought, Dagaeoga, but keep straight in the direction we are +going. See that you do not paddle unconsciously in a curve. We shall +certainly be pursued, and although our foes cannot see us well in the dark, +some out of their number are likely to blunder upon us. If it comes to a +battle you will notice that I have an extra rifle and pistol for you lying +in the bottom of the canoe, and that I am something more than a supple +dancer and leaper." + +"You not only think of everything, Tayoga, but you also do it, which is +better. I shall take care to keep dead ahead." + +Robert in his turn bent forward and plied the paddle. He was not only +fresh, but the wonderful thrill of escape gave him a strength far beyond +the normal, and the great canoe fairly danced over the waters toward the +dusky deeps of the lake, while the Onondaga crouched at the other end of +the canoe, rifle in hand, intently watching the heavy pall of dusk behind +them. + +Their situation was still dangerous in the extreme, but the soul of Tayoga +swelled with triumph. Tandakora, the Ojibway, had rejoiced because he had +expected a great taking of scalps, but the purer spirit of the Onondaga +soared into the heights because he had saved his comrade of a thousand +dangers. He still saw faintly through the darkness the campfires of the +victorious French and Indian army, and he heard the swish of paddles, but +he did not yet discern any pursuing canoe. He detached his eyes for a +moment from the bank of dusk in front of him, and looked up at the skies. +The clouds and vapors kept him from seeing the great star upon which his +patron saint, Tododaho, sat, but he knew that he was there, and that he was +watching over him. He could not have achieved so much in the face of +uttermost peril and then fail in the lesser danger. + +The canoe glided swiftly on toward the wider reaches of the lake, and the +Onondaga never relaxed his watchfulness, for an instant. He was poised in +the canoe, every nerve and muscle ready to leap in a second into activity, +while his ears were strained for the sounds of paddles or oars. Now he +relied, as often before, more upon hearing than sight. Presently a sound +came, and it was that of oars. A boat parted the wall of dusk and he saw +that it contained both French and Indians, eight in all, the warriors +uttering a shout as they beheld the fugitive canoe. + +"Keep steadily on, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "I have my long barreled +rifle, and it will carry much farther than those of the foe. In another +minute it will tell them they had best stop, and if they will not obey its +voice then I will repeat the command with your rifle." + +Robert heard the sharp report of Tayoga's weapon, and then a cry from the +pursuing boat, saying the bullet had found its mark. + +"They still come, though in a hesitating manner," said Tayoga, "and I must +even give them a second notice." + +Now Robert heard the crack of the other rifle, and the answering cry, +signifying that its bullet, too, had sped home. + +"They stop now," said Tayoga. "They heed the double command." He rapidly +reloaded the rifles, and Robert, who saw an uncommonly thick bank of dusk +ahead, paddled directly into the heart of it. They paused there a few +moments and neither saw nor heard any pursuers. Tayoga put down the rifles, +now ready again for his deadly aim, and the two kept for a long time a +straight course toward the center of the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +Tayoga, into whose hands Robert had entrusted himself with the uttermost +faith, at last said stop, and drawing the paddles into the canoe they took +long, deep breaths of relief. Around them was a world of waters, silver +under the moon and stars now piercing the dusk, and the Onondaga could see +the vast star on which sat the mighty chieftain who had gone away four +hundred years ago to eternal life. + +"O Tododaho," he murmured, "thou hast guarded us well." + +"Where do you think we are, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"Perhaps twenty miles from land," replied the Onondaga, "and the farther +the better." + +"True, Tayoga. Never before did I see a big lake look so kindly. If it +didn't require so much effort I'd like to go to the very center of it and +stay there for a week." + +"Even as it is, Dagaeoga, we will wait here a while and take the long rest +we need." + +"And while we're doing nothing but swing in our great canoe, Tayoga, I want +to thank you for all you've done for me. I'd been a prisoner much longer +than I wished." + +"It but repays my debt, Dagaeoga. You will recall that you helped to save +me from the hands of Tandakora when he was going to burn me at the stake. +My imprisonment was short, but I have been in the forest the whole winter +and spring seeking to take you from Langlade." + +"All of which goes to show, Tayoga, that we must allow only one of us to be +captured at a time. The other must go free in order to rescue the one +taken." + +Although Robert's tone was light, his feeling was far from frivolous, but +he had been at extreme tension so long that he was compelled to seek +relief. + +"How did you manage it, Tayoga?" he asked. + +"In the confusion of the attack on the forts and the rejoicing that +followed it was easy," replied the Onondaga. "When so many others were +dancing and leaping it attracted no attention for me to dance and leap +also, and I selected, without interference, the boat, the extra paddle, +weapons and ammunition that I wished. Areskoui and Tododaho did the rest. +Do you feel stronger now, Dagaeoga?" + +"Aye, I'm still able to handle the paddle. I suppose we'd better seek a +landing. We can't stay out in the lake forever. Tayoga, you've taken the +part of Providence itself. Now did it occur to you in your infinite wisdom, +while you were storing paddles, weapons and ammunition in this boat, to +store food also?" + +The Onondaga's smile was wide and satisfying. + +"I thought of that, too, Dagaeoga," he replied, "because I knew our +journey, if we should be so fortunate as to have a journey, would take us +out on the lake, and I knew, also, that no matter how many hardships and +dangers Dagaeoga might pass through, the time would come when he would be +hungry. It is always so with Dagaeoga." + +He took a heavy knapsack from the bottom of the canoe and opened it. + +"It is a French knapsack," he said, "and it contains both bread and meat, +which we will enjoy." + +They ate in great content, and their spirits rose to an extraordinary +degree, though Tayoga regretted the absence of clothing which his disguise +had made necessary. Having been educated with white lads, and having +associated with white people so much, he was usually clad as completely as +they, either in their fashion or in his own full Indian costume. + +"My infinite wisdom was not so infinite that it told me to take a blanket," +he said, "and the wind coming down from the Canadian shore is growing +cold." + +"I'm surprised to hear you speak of such trifles as that, Tayoga, when +we've been dealing with affairs of life and death." + +"We are cold or we are warm, Dagaeoga, and peril and suffering do not alter +it. But lo! the wind is bringing the great mists with it, and we will +escape in them." + +They turned the canoe toward a point far to the east of the Indian camp and +began to paddle, not hastily but with long, slow, easy strokes that sent +the canoe over the water at a great rate. The fogs and vapors were thick +and close about them, but Tayoga knew the direction. Robert asked him if he +had heard of Willet, and the Onondaga said he had not seen him, but he had +learned from a Mohawk runner that the Great Bear had reached Waraiyageh +with the news of St. Luc's prospective advance, and Tayoga had also +contrived to get news through to him that he was lying in the forest, +waiting a chance to effect the rescue of Robert. + +Toward morning they landed on a shore, clothed in deep and primeval forest, +and with reluctance abandoned their canoe. + +"It is an Abenaki craft," said Tayoga. "It is made well, it has served us +well, and we will treat it well." + +Instead of leaving it on the lake to the mercy of storms they drew it into +some bushes at the mouth of a small creek, where it would stay securely, +and probably serve some day some chance traveler. Then they plunged into +the deep forest, but when they saw a smoke Robert remained hidden while +Tayoga went on, but with the intention of returning. + +The Onondaga was quite sure the smoke indicated the presence of a small +village and his quest was for clothes. + +"Let Dagaeoga rest in peace here in the thicket," he said, "and when I come +back I shall be clad as a man. Have no fears for me. I will not enter the +village Until after dark." + +He glided away without noise, and Robert, having supreme confidence in him, +lay down among the bushes, which were so dense that the keenest eyes could +not have seen him ten feet away. His frame was relaxed so thoroughly after +his immense exertions and he felt such utter thankfulness at his escape +that he soon fell into a deep slumber rather than sleep, and when he awoke +the dark had come, bringing with it Tayoga. + +"Lo, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, in a tone of intense satisfaction, "I +have done well. It is not pleasant to me to take the property of others, +but in this case what I have seized must have been captured from the +English. No watch was kept in the village, as they had heard of their great +victory and the warriors were away. I secured three splendid blankets, two +of green and one of brown. Since you have a coat, Dagaeoga, you can have +one green blanket and I will take the other two, one to wear and the other +to sleep in. I also took away more powder and lead, and as I have my bullet +molds we can increase our ammunition when we need it. I have added, too, a +supply of venison to our beef and bread." + +"You're an accomplished burglar, Tayoga, but I think that in this case your +patron saint, Tododaho, will forgive you. I'm devoutly glad of the blanket. +I feel stiff and sore, after such great exertions, and I find I've grown +cold with the coming of the dark." + +"It is a relapse," said Tayoga with some anxiety. "The strain on mind and +body has been too great. Better wrap yourself in the blanket at once, and +lie quiet in the thicket." + +Robert was prompt to take his advice, as his body was hot and his sight +was wavering. He felt that he was going to be ill and he might get it over +all the quicker by surrendering to it at once. He rolled the blanket +tightly about himself and lay down on the softest spot he could find. In +the night he became delirious and talked continually of Langlade, St. Luc +and Montcalm. But Tayoga watched by him continually until late, when he +hunted through the forest by moonlight for some powerful herbs known to +the Indians. In the morning he beat them and bruised them and cooked them +as best he could without utensils, and then dropped the juices into his +comrade's mouth, after which he carefully put out the fire, lest it be seen +by savage rovers. + +Robert was soon very much better. He had a profuse perspiration and came +out of his unconscious state, but was quite weak. He was also thoroughly +ashamed of himself. + +"Nice time for me to be breaking down," he said, "here in the wilderness +near an Indian village, hundreds of miles from any of our friends, save +those who are captured. I make my apologies, Tayoga." + +"They are not needed," said the Onondaga. "You defended me with your life +when I was wounded and the wolves sought to eat me, now I repay again. +There is nothing for Dagaeoga to do but to keep on perspiring, see that the +blanket is still wrapped around him, and tonight I will get something in +which to cook the food he needs." + +"How will you do that?" + +"I will go again to my village. I call it mine because it supplies what we +need and I will return with the spoil. Bide you in peace, Dagaeoga. You +have called me an accomplished burglar. I am more, I am a great one." + +Robert had the utmost confidence in him, and it was justified. When he +awoke from a restless slumber, Tayoga stood beside him, holding in his hand +a small iron kettle made in Canada, and a great iron spoon. + +"They are the best they had in the village," he said. "It is not a large +and rich village and so its possessions are not great, but I think these +will do. I have also brought with me some very tender meat of a young deer +that I found in one of the lodges." + +"You're all you claimed to be and more, Tayoga," said Robert earnestly and +gratefully. + +The Onondaga lighted a fire in a dip, and cutting the deer into tiny bits +made a most appetizing soup, which Robert's weak stomach was able to retain +and to crave more. + +"No," said Tayoga, "enough for tonight, but you shall have twice as much in +the morning. Now, go to sleep again." + +"I haven't been doing anything but sleep for the last day or two. I want to +get up and walk." + +"And have your fever come back. Besides, you are not strong enough yet to +walk more than a few steps." + +Robert knew that he would be forced to obey, and he passed the night partly +in dozing, and partly in staring at the sky. In the morning he was very +hungry and showed an increase of strength. Tayoga, true to his word, gave +him a double portion of the soup, but still forbade sternly any attempt at +walking. + +"Lie there, Dagaeoga," he said, "and let the wind blow over you, and I'll +go farther into the forest to see if friend or enemy be near." + +Robert, feeling that he must, lay peacefully on his back after the Onondaga +left him. He was free from fever, but he knew that Tayoga was right in +forbidding him to walk. It would be several days yet before he could +fulfill his old duties, as an active and powerful forest runner. Yet he was +very peaceful because the soreness of body that had troubled him was gone +and strength was flowing back into his veins. Despite the fact that he was +lying on his back alone in the wilderness, with savage foes not far away, +he believed that he had very much for which to be grateful. He had been +taken almost by a miracle out of the hands of his foes, and, when he was +ill and in his weakness might have been devoured by wild beasts or might +have starved to death, the most loyal and resourceful of comrades had been +by his side to save him. + +He saw the great star on which Tayoga's Tododaho lived, and he accepted so +much of the Iroquois theology, believing that it was in spirit and essence +the same as his own Christian belief, that he almost imagined he could see +the great Onondaga chieftain who had gone away four centuries ago. In any +event, it was a beneficent star, and he was glad that it shone down on him +so brilliantly. + +Tayoga before his departure had loaned him one of his blankets and now he +lay upon it, with the other wrapped around him, his loaded pistol in his +belt and his loaded rifle lying by his side. The fire that the Onondaga had +built in the dip not far away had been put out carefully and the ashes had +been scattered. + +Although it was midsummer, the night, as often happened in that northern +latitude, had come on cool, and the warmth of the blankets was not +unwelcome. Robert knew that he was only a mote in all that vast wilderness, +but the contiguity of the Indian village might cause warriors, either +arriving or departing, to pass near him. So he was not surprised when he +heard footsteps in the bushes not far away, and then the sound of voices. +Instinctively he tried to press his body into the earth, and he also lifted +carefully the loaded rifle, but second thought told him he was not likely +to be seen. + +Warriors presently came so near that they were visible, and to his surprise +and alarm he saw the huge figure of Tandakora among them. They were about a +dozen in number, walking in the most leisurely manner and once stopped very +close to him to talk. Although he raised himself up a little and clutched +the rifle more tightly he was still hopeful that they would not see him. +The Ojibway chieftain was in full war paint, with a fine new American +rifle, and also a small sword swinging from his belt. Both were undoubtedly +trophies of Oswego, and it was certain that after carrying the sword for a +while as a prize he would discard it. Indians never found much use for +swords. + +Robert always believed that Tayoga's Tododaho protected him that night, +because for a while all the chances were against him. As the warriors stood +near talking a frightened deer started up in the thicket, and Tandakora +himself brought it down with a lucky bullet, the unfortunate animal falling +not thirty yards from the hidden youth. They removed the skin and cut it +into portions where it lay, the whole task taking about a half hour, and +all the time Robert, lying under the brush, saw them distinctly. + +He was in mortal fear lest one of them wander into the dip where Tayoga had +built the fire, and see traces of the ashes, but they did not do so. Twice +warriors walked in that direction and his heart was in his mouth, but in +neither case did the errand take them so far. Tandakora was not alone in +bearing Oswego spoils. Nearly all of them had something, a rifle, a pistol +or a sword, and two wore officers' laced coats over their painted bodies. +The sight filled Robert with rage. Were his people to go on this way +indefinitely, sacrificing men and posts in unrelated efforts? Would they +allow the French, with inferior numbers, to beat them continuously? He had +seen Montcalm and talked with him, and he feared everything from that +daring and tenacious leader. + +While the Indians prepared the deer the moon and stars came out with +uncommon brilliancy, filling the forest with a misty, silver light. Robert +now saw Tandakora and his men so clearly that it seemed impossible for them +not to see him. Once more he had the instinctive desire to press himself +into the earth, but his mind told him that absolute silence was the most +necessary thing. As he lay, he could have picked off Tandakora with a +bullet from his rifle, and, so far as the border was concerned, he felt +that his own life was worth the sacrifice, but he loved his life and the +Ojibway might be put out of the way at some other time and place. + +Tayoga's Tododaho protected him once more. Two of the Indians wanted water +and they started in search of a brook which was never far away in that +region. It seemed for a moment or two that they would walk directly into +the dip, where scattered ashes lay, but the great Onondaga turned them +aside just in time and they found at another point the water they wished. +Robert's extreme tension lasted until they were back with the others. +Nevertheless their harmless return encouraged him in the belief that the +star was working in his behalf. + +The Indians were in no hurry. They talked freely over their task of +dressing and quartering the deer, and often they were so near that Robert +could hear distinctly what they said, but only once or twice did they use a +dialect that he could understand, and then they were speaking of the great +victory of Oswego, in which they confirmed the inference, drawn from the +spoils, that they like Tandakora had taken a part. They were in high good +humor, expecting more triumphs, and regarded the new French commander, +Montcalm, as a great and invincible leader. + +Robert was glad, then, that he was such an insignificant mote in the +wilderness and had he the power he would have made himself so small that he +would have become invisible, but as that was impossible he still trusted +in Tayoga's Tododaho. The Indian chief gave two of the warriors an order, +and they started on a course that would have brought them straight to him. +The lad gave himself up for lost, but, intending to make a desperate fight +for it, despite his weakness, his hand crept to the hammer and trigger of +his rifle. Something moved in the thicket, a bear, perhaps, or a lynx, and +the two Indians, when they were within twenty feet of him, turned aside to +investigate it. Then they went on, and it was quite clear again to Robert +that he had been right about the friendly intervention of Tododaho. + +Nor was it long until the truth was demonstrated to him once more, and in a +conclusive manner. The entire party departed, taking with them the portions +of the deer, and they passed so very close to him that their wary eyes, +which always watched on all sides, would have been compelled to see him, if +Tododaho, or perhaps it was Areskoui, or even Manitou, had not seen fit +just at that moment to draw a veil before the moon and stars and make the +shadow so deep under the bush where young Lennox lay that he was invisible, +although they stepped within fifteen feet of him. They went on in their +usual single file, disappearing in the direction of the village, while he +lay still and gave thanks. + +They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint +rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him. + +"I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw," said the Onondaga. +"It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the +earth and the air. Else they would have seen you." + +"It is so," said Robert, devoutly, "and it makes me all the more glad to +see you, Tayoga. I hope your journey, like all the others, has been +fruitful." + +The Onondaga smiled in the dusk. + +"It is a good village to which I go," he replied in his precise fashion. +"You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English +tongue a chemist's shop. It is such that I sought in the village, and I +found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could +reach at my leisure. Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from +the essence of the sassafras root. It will purge the impurities from your +blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong. Then +your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for +a long journey. I have also brought a small sack filled with samp." + +Robert uttered a little cry of joy. He craved bread, or at least something +that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as +hominy, was a most acceptable substitute. + +"You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga," he said. + +"I obtained also information," continued the Onondaga. "While I lay in one +of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking. They +believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them +and the French. Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and +he will take them from one victory to another. Their defeat by Andiatarocte +is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south. But they +intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and +English. Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the +Mountain Wolf." + +"Rogers! Is he somewhere near us?" exclaimed Robert eagerly. + +"Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him. The +Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. +Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, +with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as +they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us." + +"I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you +didn't, or if I didn't rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see +I did." + +"The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades. He would never desert +a friend in the hands of the enemy." + +"You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his +rangers?" + +"Of a certainty. As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough. Now lie still, while +I scout through the forest. If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and +then you must drink, and drink deep." + +He made a wide circuit, and, coming back, lighted a little fire on which he +warmed the tea in the pot that he had taken from the village on an earlier +night. Then, under the insistence of Tayoga, Robert drank a quantity that +amounted to three cups, and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which he +awoke the next day with an appetite so sharp that he felt able to bite a +big piece out of a tree. + +"I think I'll go hunt a buffalo, kill him and eat him whole," he said in a +large, round voice. + +"If so Dagaeoga will have to roam far," said Tayoga sedately. "The buffalo +is not found east of the Alleghanies, as you well know." + +"Of course I know it, but what are time and distance to a Samson like me? I +say I will go forth and slay a buffalo, unless I am fed at once and in +enormous quantities." + +"Would a haunch of venison and a gallon of samp help Dagaeoga a little?" + +"Yes, a little, they'd serve as appetizers for something real and +substantial to come." + +"Then if you feel so strong and are charged so full of ambition you can +help cook breakfast. You have had an easy time, Dagaeoga, but life +henceforth will not be all eating and sleeping." + +They had a big and pleasant breakfast together and Robert rejoiced in his +new vigor. It was wonderful to be so strong after having been so weak, it +was like life after death, and he was eager to start at once. + +"It is a good thing to have been ill," he said, "because then you know how +fine it is to be well." + +"But we will not depart before tomorrow," said the Onondaga decisively. + +"And why?" + +"Because you have lived long enough in the wilderness, Dagaeoga, to know +that one must always fight the weather. Look into the west, and you will +see a little cloud moving up from the horizon. It does not amount to much +at present, but it contains the seed of great things. It has been sent by +the Rain God, and it will not do yet for Dagaeoga, despite his new +strength, to travel in the rain." + +Robert became anxious as he watched the little cloud, which seemed to swell +as he looked at it, and which soon assumed an angry hue. He knew that +Tayoga had told the truth. Coming out of his fever it would be a terrible +risk for him to become drenched. + +"We will make a shelter such as we can in the dip where we built the fire," +said Tayoga, "and now you can use your new strength as much as you will in +wielding a tomahawk." + +They cut small saplings with utmost speed and speedily accomplished one of +the most difficult tasks of the border, making a rude brush shelter which +with the aid of their blankets would protect them from the storm. By the +time they had finished, the little cloud which had been at first a mere +signal had grown so prodigiously that it covered the whole heavens, and the +day became almost as dark as twilight. The lightning began to flash in +great, blazing strokes, and the thunder was so nearly continuous that the +earth kept up an incessant jarring. Then the rain poured heavily and Robert +saw Tayoga's wisdom. Although the shelter and his blanket kept the rain +from him he felt cold in the damp, and shivered as if with a chill. + +"When the storm stops, which will not be before dark," said Tayoga, "I +shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe. They have some, +acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them +belongs to you. So, Dagaeoga, I will get it." + +"Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already. I can make out very +well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet." + +"I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right. We work +together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one +member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of +battle. And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar? I +prove it anew tonight. As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, +the great storehouse of our supplies." + +The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert +saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for +him to say more. The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank +to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert's teeth +chattered, despite every effort to control his body. + +"I go, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "and I shall return with the great, warm +buffalo robe that belongs to you." + +Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone. He +knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt +his success. The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, +and some of it seeped through. Now and then a drop found its way down his +neck, and it felt like ice. Physically he was very miserable, and it began +to depress his spirit. He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining +the buffalo robe. + +The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely. +There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more. He sank +into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened +by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter. It was Tayoga, and +he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm. + +"I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga," he said +cheerfully. "It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had +to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his +warriors to claim shelter, food and rest. Then I took what was your own and +here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen." + +He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and +the sight of it made Robert's teeth stop chattering. He wrapped it around +his body and sufficient warmth came back. + +"You're a marvel, Tayoga," he said. "Does the village contain anything else +that belongs to us?" + +"Nothing that I can think of now. The rain will cease entirely in an hour, +and then we will start." + +His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert +wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in +his frame. But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a +good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came +they were only a few miles away. Robert's strength, however, stood the +test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast. Much +refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much +more than motes in the wilderness. Robert hoped that some chance would +enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the +place of a father to him. It did not seem possible that the Great Bear +could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have +been fought since his capture. He could not associate death with a man so +powerful and vital as Willet. + +The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe. It was quite +a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came +and particularly if there were other storms. They saw many trails in the +afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands. Nearly all +of them led southeast. + +"The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes," he said, "have heard +of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, +expecting many scalps and great spoils. Whenever the French win a triumph +it means more warriors for them." + +"And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?" + +"It is likely, Dagaeoga. But if it comes to battle see how much better it +is that you should be strong and able." + +"Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as +we did." + +The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced. Evidently swarms of +warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted. + +"It will not be wise for us to advance farther," he said. "We must seek +some hiding place." + +"Hark to that!" exclaimed Robert. + +A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear. Tayoga listened +intently, and it was repeated once. + +"Pursuit!" he said briefly. "They have come by chance upon our trail. It +may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate. They will never leave us +now, unless they are driven back." + +"Then we'd better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the +swarms are sure to be to the south of us." + +"It is so. Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we +will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also. I once left a +canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it." + +"What will we do with it if we find it?" + +"Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe. But now we must +press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga. See, there is a smoke in the south +and now another answers it in the north. They are talking about us." + +Robert saw the familiar signals which always meant peril to them, and he +was willing to go forward at the uttermost speed. He had become hardened in +a measure to danger, though it seemed to him that he was passing through +enough of it to last a lifetime. But his soul rose to meet it. + +They used all the customary devices to hide their traces, wading when there +was water, walking on stones or logs when they were available, but they +knew these stratagems would only delay Tandakora, they could not throw him +off the trail entirely. They hoped more from the coming dark, and, when +night came, it found them going at great speed. Just at twilight they heard +a faint shout again and the faint shout in reply, telling them the pursuit +was maintained, but the night fortunately proved to be very dark, and, an +hour or two later, they came to a heavy windrow, the result of some old +hurricane into which they drew for shelter and rest. They knew that not +even the Indian trailers could find them there in such darkness, and for +the present they were without apprehension. + +"Do you think they will pass us in the night?" asked Robert. + +"No," replied Tayoga. "They will wait until the dawn and pick up the trail +anew." + +"Then we'd better start again about midnight." + +"I think so, too." + +Meanwhile, lying comfortably among the fallen trees and leaves, they waited +in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +The long stay in the windrow served Robert well, more than atoning for the +drain made upon his strength by their rapid flight. In three or four hours +he was back in his normal state, and he felt proudly that he was now as +good as he had ever been. The night, as they had expected, was cold, and he +was thankful that he had hung on to the buffalo robe, in which he wrapped +himself once more, while Tayoga was snug between two big blankets. + +Robert dozed, but he was awakened by something stirring near them, and he +sat up with his finger on the trigger of his rifle. The Onondaga was +already listening and watching, ready with his weapon. Presently the white +youth heard his companion laughing softly, and his own tension relaxed, as +he knew Tayoga would not laugh without good cause. + +"It is a bear," said Tayoga, "and he has a lair in the windrow, not more +than twenty feet away. He has been out very late at night, too late for a +good, honest home-keeping bear, but he is back at last, and he smells us." + +"And alarmed by the odor he does not know whether to enter his home or not. +Well, I hope he'll conclude to take his rest. We eat bear at times, +Tayoga, but just now I wouldn't dream of harming one." + +"Nor would I, Dagaeoga, and maybe the bear will divine that we are +harmless, that is, Tododaho or Areskoui will tell him in some way of which +we know nothing that his home is his own to be entered without fear." + +"I think I hear him moving now, and also puffing a little." + +"You hear aright, Dagaeoga. Tododaho has whispered to him, even as I said, +and he is going into his den which I know is snug and warm, in the very +thickest part of the windrow. Now he is lying down in it with the logs and +branches about him, and soon he will be asleep, dreaming happy dreams of +tender roots and wild honey with no stings of bees to torment him." + +"You grow quite poetical, Tayoga." + +"Although foes are hunting us, I feel the spirit of the forest and of peace +strong upon me, Dagaeoga. Moreover, Tododaho, as I told you, has whispered +to the animals that we are not to be feared tonight. Hark to the tiny +rustling just beyond the log against which we lie!" + +"Yes, I hear it, and what do you make of it, Tayoga?" + +"Rabbits seeking their nests. They, too, have snuffed about, noticing the +man odor, which man himself cannot detect, and once they started away in +alarm, but now they are reassured, and they have settled themselves down to +sleep in comfort and security." + +"Tayoga, you talk well and fluently, but as I have told you before, you +talk out of a dictionary." + +"But as I learned my English out of a dictionary I cannot talk otherwise. +That is why my language is always so much superior to yours, Dagaeoga." + +"I'll let it be as you claim it, you boaster, but what noise is that now? I +seem to hear the light sound of hoofs." + +The Onondaga raised himself to his full height and peered over the dense +masses of trunks and boughs, his keen eyes cutting the thick dusk. Then he +sank back, and, when he replied, his voice showed distinct pleasure. + +"Two deer have come into a little open space, around which the arms of the +windrow stretch nearly all the way, and they have crouched there, where +they will rest, indifferent to the nearness of the bear. Truly, O Dagaeoga, +we have come into the midst of a happy family, and we have been accepted, +for the night, as members of it." + +"It must be so, Tayoga, because I see a figure much larger than that of the +deer approaching. Look to the north and behold that shadow there under the +trees." + +"I see it, Dagaeoga. It is the great northern moose, a bull. Perhaps he has +wandered down from Canada, as they are rare here. They are often +quarrelsome, but the bull is going to take his rest, within the shelter of +the windrow, and leave its other people at peace. Now he has found a good +place, and he will be quiet for the night." + +"Suppose you sleep a while, Tayoga. You have done all the watching for a +long time, and, as I'm fit and fine now, it's right for me to take up my +share of the burden." + +"Very well, but do not fail to awaken me in about three hours. We must not +be caught here in the morning by the warriors." + +He was asleep almost instantly, and Robert sat in a comfortable position +with his rifle across his knees. Responsibility brought back to him +self-respect and pride. He was now a full partner in the partnership, and +will and strength together made his faculties so keen that it would have +been difficult for anything about the windrow to have escaped his +attention. He heard the light rustlings of other animals coming to comfort +and safety, and flutterings as birds settled on upthrust boughs, many of +which were still covered with leaves. Once he heard a faint shout deep in +the forest, brought by the wind a great distance, and he was sure that it +was the cry of their Indian pursuers. Doubtless it was a signal and had +connection with the search, but he felt no alarm. Under the cover of +darkness Tayoga and he were still motes in the wilderness, and, while the +night lasted, Tandakora could not find them. + +When he judged that the three hours had passed he awoke the Onondaga and +they took their silent way north by east, covering much more distance by +dawn. But both were certain that warriors of Tandakora would pick up their +traces again that day. They would spread through the forest, and, when one +of them struck the trail, a cry would be sufficient to call the others. +But they pressed on, still adopting every possible device to throw off +their pursuers, and they continued their flight several days, always +through an unbroken forest, over hills and across many streams, large and +small. It seemed, at times, to Robert that the pursuit must have dropped +away, but Tayoga was quite positive that Tandakora still followed. The +Ojibway, he said, had divined the identity of the fugitives and every +motive would make him follow, even all the way across the Province of New +York and beyond, if need be. + +They came at last to a lake, large, beautiful, extending many miles through +the wilderness, and Tayoga, usually so calm, uttered a little cry of +delight, which Robert repeated, but in fuller volume. + +"I think lakes are the finest things in the world," he said. "They always +stir me." + +"And that is why Manitou put so many and such splendid ones in the land of +the Hodenosaunee," said Tayoga. "This is Ganoatohale, which you call in +your language Oneida, and it is on its shores that I hid the canoe of which +I spoke to you. I think we shall find it just as I left it." + +"I devoutly hope so. A canoe and paddles would give me much pleasure just +now, and Ganoatohale will leave no trail." + +They walked northward along the shore of the lake, and they came to a place +where many tall reeds grew thick and close in shallow water. Tayoga plunged +into the very heart of them and Robert's heart rose with a bound, when he +reappeared dragging after him a large and strong canoe, containing two +paddles. + +"It has rested in quiet waiting for us," he said. "It is a good canoe, and +it knew that I would come some time to claim it." + +"Before we go upon our voyage," said Robert, "I think we shall have to pay +some attention to the question of food. My pouch is about empty." + +"And so is mine. We shall have to take the risk, Dagaeoga, and shoot a +deer. Tandakora may be so far behind that none of his warriors will hear +the shot, but even so we cannot live without eating. We will, however, hunt +from the canoe. Since the war began, all human beings have gone away from +this lake, and the deer should be plentiful." + +They launched the canoe on the deep waters, and the two took up the +paddles, sending their little craft northward, with slow, deliberate +strokes. They had the luck within the hour to find a deer drinking, and +with equal luck Robert slew it at the first shot. They would have taken the +body into the canoe, but the burden was too great, and Tayoga cut it up and +dressed it with great dispatch, while Robert watched. Then they made room +for the four quarters and again paddled northward. Fearing that Tandakora +had come much nearer, while they were busy with the deer, they did not dare +the wide expanse of the lake, but remained for the present under cover of +the overhanging forest on the western shore. + +"If we put the lake between Tandakora and ourselves," said Robert, "we +ought to be safe." + +"It is likely that they, too, have canoes hidden in the reeds," said +Tayoga. "Since the French and their allies have spread so far south they +would provide for the time when they wanted to go upon the waters of +Ganoatohale. It is almost a certainty that we shall be pursued upon the +lake." + +They continued northward, never leaving the dark shadow cast by the dense +leafage, and, as they went slowly, they enjoyed the luxury of the canoe. +After so much walking through the wilderness it was a much pleasanter +method of traveling. But they did not forget vigilance, continually +scanning the waters, and Robert's heart gave a sudden beat as he saw a +black dot appear upon the surface of the lake in the south. It was followed +in a moment by another, then another and then three more. + +"It is the band of Tandakora, beyond a doubt," said Tayoga with conviction. +"They had their canoes among the reeds even as we had ours, and now it is +well for us that water leaves no trail." + +"Shall we hide the canoe again, and take to the woods?" + +"I think not, Dagaeoga. They have had no chance to see us yet. We will +withdraw among the reeds until night comes, and then under its cover cross +Ganoatohale." + +Keeping almost against the bank, they moved gently until they came to a +vast clump of reeds into which they pushed the canoe, while retaining their +seats in it. In the center they paused and waited. From that point they +could see upon the lake, while remaining invisible themselves, and they +waited. + +The six canoes or large boats, they could not tell at the distance which +they were, went far out into the lake, circled around for a while, and then +bore back toward the western shore, along which they passed, inspecting it +carefully, and drawing steadily nearer to Robert and Tayoga. + +"Now, let us give thanks to Tododaho, Areskoui and to Manitou himself," +said the Onondaga, "that they have been pleased to make the reeds grow in +this particular place so thick and so tall." + +"Yes," said Robert, "they're fine reeds, beautiful reeds, a greater bulwark +to us just now than big oaks could be. Think you, Tayoga, that you +recognize the large man in the first boat?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, I know him, as you do also. How could we mistake our great +enemy, Tandakora? It is a formidable fleet, too strong for us to resist, +and, like the wise man, we hide when we cannot fight." + +Robert's pulses beat so hard they hurt, but he would not show any +uneasiness in the presence of Tayoga, and he sat immovable in the canoe. +Nearer and nearer came the Indian fleet, partly of canoes and partly of +boats, and he counted in them sixteen warriors, all armed heavily. Now he +prayed to Manitou, and to his own God who was the same as Manitou, that no +thought of pushing among the reeds would enter Tandakora's head. The fleet +soon came abreast of them, but his prayers were answered, as Tandakora led +ahead, evidently thinking the fugitives would not dare to hide and lie in +waiting, but would press on in flight up the western shore. + +"I could pick him off from here with a bullet," said Robert, looking at the +huge, painted chest of the Ojibway chief. + +"But our lives would be the forfeit," the Onondaga whispered back. + +"I had no intention of doing it." + +"Now they have passed us, and for the while we are safe. They will go on up +the lake, until they find no trace of us there, and then Tandakora will +come back." + +"But how does he know we have a canoe?" + +"He does not know it, but he feels sure of it because our trail led +straight to the lake, and we would not purposely come up against such a +barrier, unless we knew of a way to cross it." + +"That sounds like good logic. Of course when they return they'll make a +much more thorough search of the lake's edge, and then they'd be likely to +find us if we remained here." + +"It is so, but perhaps the night will come before Tandakora, and then we'll +take flight upon the lake." + +They pushed their canoe back to the edge of the reeds, and watched the +Indian boats passing in single file northward, becoming smaller and smaller +until they almost blended with the water, but both knew they would return, +and in that lay their great danger. The afternoon was well advanced, but +the sun was very brilliant, and it was hot within the reeds. Great +quantities of wild fowl whirred about them and along the edges of the +lake. + +"No warriors are in hiding near us," said Tayoga, "or the wild fowl would +fly away. We can feel sure that we have only Tandakora and his band to +fear." + +Robert had never watched the sun with more impatience. It was already going +down the western arch, but it seemed to him to travel with incredible +slowness. Far in the north the Indian boats were mere black dots on the +water, but they were turning. Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back. + +"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he +said. "We can gain at least that much advantage." + +Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, +extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting +shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than +one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open +water. Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited +the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety. They recognized that +their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so. If only the night +would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although +at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly +that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side +to darkness. + +The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank. It poured +showers of rays upon the broad surface of the lake, and the silver of the +waters turned to orange and gold. Everything there was enlarged and made +more vivid, standing out twofold against the burning western background. +Nothing beyond the shadow could escape the observation of the Indians in +the boats, and they themselves in Robert's intense imagination changed from +a line of six light craft into a great fleet. + +Nevertheless the sun, lingering as if it preferred their side of the world +to any other, was bound to go at last. The deep colors in the water faded. +The orange and gold changed back to silver, and the silver, in its turn, +gave way to gray, twilight began to draw a heavy veil over the east, and +Tayoga said in deep tones: + +"Lo, the Sun God has decided that we may escape! He will let the night come +before Tandakora!" + +Then the sun departed all at once, and the brilliant afterglow soon faded. +Night settled down, thick and dark, with the waters, ruffled by a light +wind, showing but dimly. The line of Tandakora became invisible, and the +two youths felt intense relief. + +"Now we will start toward the northeastern end of the lake," said Tayoga. +"It will be wiser than to seek the shortest road across, because Tandakora +will think naturally that we have gone that way, and he will take it also." + +"And it's paddling all night for us," said Robert "Well, I welcome it." + +They were interrupted by the whirring of the wild fowl again, though on a +much greater scale than before. The twilight was filled with feathered +bodies. Tayoga, in an instant, was all attention. + +"Something has frightened them," he said. + +"Perhaps a bear or a deer," said Robert. + +"I think not. They are used to wild animals, and would not be startled at +their approach. There is only one being that everything in the forest +generally fears." + +"Man?" + +"Even so, Dagaeoga." + +"Perhaps we'd better pull in close to the bank and look." + +"It would be wise." + +Robert saw that the Onondaga, with his acute instincts, was deeply alarmed, +and he too felt that the wild fowl had given warning. They sent the canoe +with a few silent strokes through the shallow water almost to the edge of +the land, and, as it nearly struck bottom, two dusky figures rising among +the bushes threw their weight upon them. The light craft sank almost to the +edges with the weight, but did not overturn, and both attackers and +attacked fell out of it into the lake. + +Robert for a moment saw a dusky face above him, and instinctively he +clasped the body of a warrior in his arms. Then the two went down together +in the water. The Indian was about to strike at him with a knife, but the +lake saved him. As the water rushed into eye, mouth and nostril the two +fell apart, but Robert was able to keep his presence of mind in that +terrible moment, and, as he came up again, he snatched out his own knife +and struck almost blindly. + +He felt the blade encounter resistance, and then pass through it. He heard +a choked cry and he shuddered violently. All his instincts were for +civilization and against the taking of human life, and he had struck merely +to save his own, but almost articulate words of thankfulness bubbled to his +lips as he saw the dark figure that had hovered so mercilessly over him +disappear. Then a second figure took the place of the first and he drew +back the fatal blade again, but a soft voice said: + +"Do not strike, Dagaeoga. I also have accounted for one of the warriors who +attacked us, and no more have yet come. We may thank the wild fowl. Had +they not warned us we should have perished." + +"And even then we had luck, or your Tododaho is still watching over us. I +struck at random, but the blade was guided to its mark." + +"And so was mine. What you say is also proved to be true by the fact that +the canoe did not overturn, when they threw themselves upon us. The chances +were at least ninety-nine out of a hundred that it would do so." + +"And our arms and ammunition and our deer?" + +"All in the canoe, except the weapons that are in our belts." + +"Then, Tayoga, it is quite sure that your Tododaho has been watching over +us. But where is the canoe?" + +Robert was filled with alarm and horror. They were standing above their +knees in the water, and they no longer saw the little craft, which had +become a veritable ship of refuge to them. They peered about frantically +in the dusk and then Tayoga said: + +"There is a strong breeze blowing from the land and waves are beginning to +run on the water. They have taken the canoe out into the lake. We must swim +in search of it." + +"And if we don't find it?" + +"Then we drown, but O Dagaeoga, death in the water is better than death in +the fires that Tandakora will kindle." + +"We might escape into the woods." + +"Warriors who have come upon our trail are there, and would fall upon us at +once. The attack by the two who failed proves their presence." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must take the perilous chance and swim for the canoe." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga." + +Both were splendid swimmers, even with their clothes on, and, wading out +until the water was above their waists, they began to swim with strong and +steady strokes toward the middle of the lake, following with exactness the +course of the wind. All the time they sought with anxious eyes through the +dusk for a darker shadow that might be the canoe. The wind rose rapidly, +and now and then the crest of a wave dashed over them. Less expert swimmers +would have sunk, but their muscles were hardened by years of forest +life--all Robert's strength had come back to him--and an immense vitality +made the love of life overwhelming in them. They fought with all the +powers of mind and body for the single chance of overtaking the canoe. + +"I hope you see it, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Not yet," replied the Onondaga. "The darkness is heavy over the lake, and +the mists and vapors, rising from the water, increase it." + +"It was a fine canoe, Tayoga, and it holds our rifles, our ammunition, our +deer, my buffalo robe, and all our precious belongings. We have to find +it." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga. We have no other choice. We truly swim for life. One +could pray at this time to have all the powers of a great fish. Do you see +anything behind us?" + +Robert twisted his head and looked over his shoulder. + +"I see no pursuit," he replied. "I cannot even see the shore, as the mists +and vapors have settled down between. In a sense we're out at sea, Tayoga." + +"And Ganoatohale is large. The canoe, too, is afloat upon its bosom and is, +as you say, out at sea. We and it must meet or we are lost. Are you weary, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Not yet. I can still swim for quite a while." + +"Then float a little, and we can take the exact course of the wind again. +The canoe, of course, will continue to go the way the wind goes." + +"Unless it's deflected by currents which do not always follow the wind." + +"I do not notice any current, and to follow the wind is our only hope. The +mists and vapors will hide the canoe from us until we are very close to it" + +"And you may thank Tododaho that they will hide something else also. +Unless I make a great mistake, Tayoga, I hear the swish of paddles." + +"You make no mistake, Dagaeoga. I too hear paddles, ten, a dozen, or more +of them. It is the fleet of Tandakora coming back and it will soon be +passing between us and the shore. Truly we may be thankful, as you say, for +the mists and vapors which, while they hide the canoe from us, also hide us +from our enemies." + +"I shall lie flat upon my back and float, and I'll blend with the water." + +"It is a wise plan, Dagaeoga. So shall I. Then Tandakora himself would not +see us, even if he passed within twenty feet of us." + +"He is passing now, and I can see the outlines of their boats." + +The two were silent as the fish themselves, sustained by imperceptible +strokes, and Robert saw the fleet of Tandakora pass in a ghostly line. They +looked unreal, a shadow following shadows, the huge figure of the Ojibway +chief in the first boat a shadow itself. Robert's blood chilled, and it was +not from the cold of the water. He was in a mystic and unreal world, but a +world in which danger pressed in on every side. He felt like one living +back in a primeval time. The swish of the paddles was doubled and tripled +by his imagination, and the canoes seemed to be almost on him. + +The questing eyes of Tandakora and his warriors swept the waters as far as +the night, surcharged with mists and vapors, would allow, but they did not +see the two human figures, so near them and almost submerged in the lake. +The sound of the swishing paddles moved southward, and the line of ghostly +canoes melted again, one by one, into the darkness. + +"They're gone, Tayoga," whispered Robert in a tone of immense relief. + +"So they are, Dagaeoga, and they will seek us long elsewhere. Are you yet +weary?" + +"I might be at another time, but with my life at stake I can't afford to +grow tired. Let us follow the wind once more." + +They swam anew with powerful strokes, despite the long time they had been +in the water, and no sailors, dying of thirst, ever scanned the sea more +eagerly for a sail than they searched through the heavy dusk for their lost +canoe. The wind continued to rise, and the waves with it. Foam was often +dashed over their heads, the water grew cold to their bodies, now and then +they floated on their backs to rest themselves and thus the singular chase, +with the wind their only guide, was maintained. + +Robert was the first to see a dim shape, but he would not say anything +until it grew in substance and solidity. Nevertheless hope flooded his +heart, and then he said: + +"The wind has guided us aright, Tayoga. Unless some evil spirit has taught +my eyes to lie to me that is our canoe straight ahead." + +"It has all the appearance of a canoe, Dagaeoga, and since the only canoe +on this part of the lake is our canoe, then our canoe it is." + +"And none too soon. I'm not yet worn out, but the cold of the water is +entering my bones. I can see very clearly now that it's the canoe, our +canoe. It stands up like a ship, the strongest canoe, the finest canoe, the +friendliest canoe that ever floated on a lake or anywhere else. I can hear +it saying to us: 'I have been waiting for you. Why didn't you come +sooner?'" + +"Truly when Dagaeoga is an old, old man, nearly a hundred, and the angel of +death comes for him, he will rise up in his bed and with the rounded words +pouring from his lips he will say to the angel: 'Let me make a speech only +an hour long and then I will go with you without trouble, else I stay here +and refuse to die.'" + +"I'm using words to express my gratitude, Tayoga. Look, the canoe is moving +slowly toward the center of the lake, but it stays back as much as the wind +will let it and keeps beckoning to us. A few more long, swift strokes, +Tayoga, and we're beside it." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, and we must be careful how we climb into it. It is no light +task to board a canoe in the middle of a lake. Since Tododaho would not let +it be overturned, when we fell out of it, we must not overturn it ourselves +when we get back into it, else we lose all our arms, ammunition and other +supplies." + +The canoe was now not more than fifty feet in front of them, moving +steadily farther and farther from land before the wind that blew out of the +west, but, sitting upright on the waters like a thing of life, bearing its +precious freight. The mists and vapors had closed in so much now that their +chance of seeing it had been only one in a thousand, and yet that lone +chance had happened. The devout soul of Tayoga was filled with gratitude. +Even while swimming he looked up at the great star that he could not see +beyond the thick veil of cloud, but, knowing it was there, he returned +thanks to the mighty Onondaga chieftain who had saved them so often. + +"The canoe retreats before us, Dagaeoga," he said, "but it is not to escape +us, it is to beckon us on, out of the path of Tandakora's boats which soon +may be returning again and which will now come farther out into the lake, +thinking that we may possibly have made a dash under the cover of the +mists." + +"What you predict is already coming true, Tayoga," said Robert, "because I +hear the first faint dip of their paddles once more, and they can't be more +than two hundred yards behind us." + +The regular swishing grew louder and came closer, but the courage of the +two youths was still high. They had been drawn on so steadily by the canoe, +apparently in a predestined course, and they had been victors over so many +dangers, that they were confident the boats of Tandakora would pass once +more and leave them unseen. + +"They're almost abreast of us now, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, looking back. "They do not appear +through the mist and we hear only the paddles, but we know the threat is +there, and we can follow them as well with ear as with eye. They keep +straight on, going back toward the north. Nothing tells them we are here, +as our canoe beckons to us, nothing guides them to that for which they are +looking. Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and +now it is gone wholly. They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the +last of our strength and overtake the canoe." + +They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the +side of the canoe. Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the +first to climb into it. The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few +minutes exhausted on the bottom. Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full +voice: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, +because we have looked into the face of death." + +Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga +that their escape was a miracle. His nature contained much that was devout +and spiritual and he, too, with his impressionable imagination, peopled +earth and air almost unconsciously with spirits, good and bad. The good and +bad often fought together, and sometimes the good prevailed as they had +just done. There lay in the canoe the paddles, which they had lifted out of +the water in their surprise at the sudden attack, and beside them were the +rifles and everything else they needed. + +They were content to let the canoe travel its own course for a long time, +and that course was definite and certain, as if guided by the hand of man. +The wind always carried it toward the northeast and farther and farther +away from the fleet of Tandakora. But they took off their clothing, wrung +out as much water as they could, and wrapped themselves in the dry blankets +from their packs. Robert's spirits, stimulated by the reaction, bubbled up +in a wonderful manner. + +"We'll see no more of Tandakora for a long time, at least," he exclaimed, +"and now, ho! for our wonderful voyage!" + +They drew the wet charges from their pistols and reloaded them, they +polished anew their hatchets and knives and then, these tasks done, they +still sat for a long time in the canoe, idle and content. Their little boat +needed no help or guidance from their hands. That favoring wind always +carried it away from their enemies and in the direction in which they +wished it to go. And yet the wind did not blow away the mists and vapors, +that grew thicker and thicker around them, until they could not see twenty +feet away. + +Robert's feeling that they were protected, his sense of the spiritual and +mystic, grew, and he saw that the mind of Tayoga was under the same spell. +The waters of the lake were friendly now. As they lapped around the canoe +they made a soothing sound, and the wind that guided and propelled them +sang a low but pleasant song. + +"We are in the arms of Tododaho," said Tayoga in a reverential tone, "and +Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, also looks on and smiles. What need for us to +strive when the gods themselves take us in their keeping?" + +Hours passed before they spoke again. They had been at the uttermost verge +of exhaustion when they climbed into the canoe, and perhaps physical +weakness had made their minds more receptive to the belief that they were +in hands mightier than their own, but even as strength came back the +conviction remained in all its primitive force. Warmth returned to their +bodies, wrapped in the blankets, and they felt an immense peace. Midnight +passed and the boat bore steadily on with its two silent occupants. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +"Where are we, Tayoga?" + +Robert stirred from a doze and the words were involuntary. He looked upon +water, covered with mists and vapors, and the driving wind was still behind +them. + +"I know not, Dagaeoga," replied the Onondaga in devout tones. "I too have +dozed for a while, and awoke to find nothing changed. All I know is that we +are yet on the bosom of Ganoatohale, and that the west wind has borne us +on. I have always loved the west wind, Dagaeoga. Its breath is sweet on my +face. It comes from the setting sun, from the greatest of all seas that +lies beyond our continent, it blows over the vast unknown plains that are +trodden by the buffalo in myriads, it comes across the mighty forests of +the great valley, it is loaded with all the odors and perfumes of our +immense land, and now it carries us, too, to safety." + +"You talk in hexameters, Tayoga, but I think your rhapsody is justified. I +also have plenty of cause now to love the west wind. How long do you think +it will be until we feel the dawn on our faces?" + +"Two hours, perhaps, but we may reach land before then. While I cannot +smell the dawn I seem to perceive the odor of the forest. Now it grows +stronger, and lo, Dagaeoga, there is another sign! Do you not notice it?" + +"No, what is it?" + +"The west wind that has served us so well is dying. _Gaoh_, which in +our language of the Hodenosaunee is the spirit of the winds, knows that we +need it no more. Surely the land is near because _Gaoh_ after being a +benevolent spirit to us so long would not desert us at the last moment." + +"I think you must be right, Tayoga, because now I also notice the strong, +keen perfume of the woods, and our west wind has sunk to almost nothing." + +"Nay, Dagaeoga, it is more than that. It has died wholly. _Gaoh_ +tells us that having brought us so near the land we can now fend for +ourselves." + +The air became absolutely still, the swell ceased, the surface of the lake +became as smooth as glass, and, as if swept back by a mighty, unseen hand, +the mists and vapors suddenly floated away toward the east. Tayoga and +Robert uttered cries of admiration and gratitude, as a high, green shore +appeared, veiled but not hidden in the dusk. + +"So Tododaho has brought us safely across the waters of Ganoatohale," said +the Onondaga. + +"Have you any idea of the point to which we have come?" asked Robert. + +"No, but it is sufficient that we have come to the shore anywhere. And see, +Dagaeoga, the mists and vapors still hang heavily over the western half of +the lake, forming an impenetrable wall that shuts us off from Tandakora +and his warriors. Truly we are for the time the favorites of the gods." + +"Even so, Tayoga, you see, too, that we have come to land just where a +little river empties into the lake, and we can go on up it." + +They paddled with vigorous arms into the mouth of the stream, and did not +stop until the day came. It was a beautiful little river, the massed +vegetation growing in walls of green to the very water's edge, the songs of +innumerable birds coming out of the cool gloom on either side. Robert was +enchanted. His spirits were still at the high key to which they had been +raised by the events of the night. Both he and Tayoga had enjoyed many +hours of rest in the canoe, and now they were keen and strong for the day's +work. So, it was long after dawn when they stopped paddling, and pushed +their prow into a little cove. + +"And now," said Robert, "I think we can land, dress, and cook some of this +precious deer, which we have brought with us in spite of everything." + +Their clothing had been dried by the sun, and they resumed it. Then, taking +all risks, they lighted a fire, broiled tender steaks and ate like giants +who had finished great labors. + +"I think," said Tayoga, "that when we proceed a few miles farther it will +be better to leave the canoe. It is likely that as we advance the river +will become narrower, and we would be an easy target for a shot from the +bank." + +"I don't like to abandon a canoe which has brought us safely across the +lake." + +"We will put it away where it can await our coming another time. But I +think we can dare the river for some distance yet." + +Robert had spoken for the sake of precaution, and he was easily persuaded +to continue in the river some miles, as traveling by canoe was pleasant, +and after their miraculous escape or rather rescue, as it seemed to them, +their spirits, already high, were steadily rising higher. The lone little +river of the north, on which they were traveling, presented a spectacle of +uncommon beauty. Its waters flowed in a clear, silver stream down to the +lake, deeper in tint on the still reaches, and, flashing in the sunlight, +where it rushed over the shallows. + +All the time they moved between two lofty, green walls, the forest growing +so densely on either shore that they could not see back into it more than +fifty yards, while the green along its lower edges was dotted with pink and +blue and red, where the delicate wild flowers were blooming. The birds in +the odorous depths of the foliage sang incessantly, and Robert had never +before heard them sing so sweetly. + +"I don't think any of our foes can be in ambush along the river," he said. +"It's too peaceful and the birds sing with too much enthusiasm. You +remember how they warned us of danger once by all going away?" + +"True, Dagaeoga, and at any time now they may leave. But, like you, I am +willing to take the risk for several hours more. Most of the warriors must +be far south of us unless the rangers are in this region, and a special +force has been sent to meet them." + +They came by and by to a long stretch of rippling shallows, and they were +compelled to carry the canoe with its load through the woods and around +them, the task, owing to the density of the forest and thicket and the +weight of their burden, straining their muscles and drawing perspiration +from their faces. But they took consolation from the fact that game was +amazingly plentiful. Deer sprang up everywhere, and twice they caught +glimpses of bears shambling away. Squirrels chattered over their heads and +the little people of the forest rustled all about them. + +"It shows that no human being has been through here recently," said Tayoga, +"else the game, big and little, would not have been stirring abroad with so +much confidence." + +"Then as soon as we make the portage we can return to the river with the +canoe." + +"Dagaeoga grows lazy. Does he not know that to do the hard thing +strengthens both mind and body? Has he forgotten what Mynheer Jacobus +Huysman told us so often in Albany? Now is a splendid opportunity for +Dagaeoga to harden himself a great deal." + +"I realize it, Tayoga, but I don't want my mind and body to grow too hard. +When one is all steel one ceases to be receptive. Can you see the river +through the trees there?" + +"I catch the glitter of sunlight on the water." + +"I hope it looks like deep water." + +"It is sufficient to float the canoe and the lazy Dagaeoga can take to his +paddle again." + +They put their boat back into the stream, uttering great sighs of relief, +and resumed the far more pleasant travel by water, the day remaining golden +as if doing its best to please them. They had another long stretch of good +water, and they did not stop until they were well into the afternoon. Then +Tayoga proposed that they make a fire and cook all of the deer. + +"It seems that the risk here is not great," he said, "and we may not have +the chance later on." + +Robert, who still felt that they were protected and that for a day or two +no harm could come to them under any circumstances, was more than willing, +and they spent the remainder of the day in their culinary task. After dark +he slept three hours, to be followed by Tayoga for the same length of time, +and about midnight they started up the stream again, with their food cooked +and ready beside them. + +Although the Onondaga shared Robert's feeling that they were protected for +the time, both exercised all their usual caution, believing thoroughly in +the old saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. It was this +watchfulness, particularly of ear, that caused them to hear the dip of +paddles approaching up the stream. Softly and in silence, they lifted the +canoe out of water and hid with it in the greenwood. Then they saw a fleet +of eight large canoes go by, all containing warriors, armed heavily and in +full war paint. + +"Hurons," whispered Tayoga. "They go south for a great taking of scalps, +doubtless to join Montcalm, who is surely meditating another sudden and +terrible blow." + +"And he will strike at our forts by Andiatarocte," rejoined Robert. "I hope +we can find Willet and Rogers soon and take the news. All the woods must be +full of warriors going south to Montcalm." + +"They have French guns, and good ones too, and they are wrapped in French +blankets. Onontio does not forget the power of the warriors and draws them +to him." + +The silent file of war canoes passed on and out of sight, and, for a space, +Robert's heart was heavy within him. He felt the call of battle, he ought +to be in the south, giving what he could to the defense against the might +of Montcalm, but to go now would be merely a dash in the dark. They must +continue to seek Willet and Rogers. + +When the last Indian canoe was far beyond hearing they relaunched their own +and paddled until nearly daybreak, coming to a place where bushes and tall +grass grew thick in the shallow water at the edge of the river. + +"Here," said Tayoga, "we will leave the canoe. A good hiding place offers +itself, and with the dawn it will be time for us to take to the woods." + +They concealed with great art the little boat that had served them so well, +sinking it in the heart of the densest growth and then drawing back the +bushes and weeds so skillfully that the keenest Indian eye would not have +noticed that anyone had ever been there. + +"I hope," said Robert sincerely, "that we'll have the chance to return +here some time or other and use it again." + +"That rests in the keeping of Manitou," said the Onondaga, "and now we will +take up our packs and go eastward toward Oneadatote." + +"But we won't go fast, because my pack, with all this venison in it, is by +no means light." + +"It is no heavier than mine, Dagaeoga, but, as you say, we will not hasten, +lest we pass the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf in the forest and not +know it. But I think we are safe in going toward Oneadatote, as Rogers and +his rangers usually operate in the region of George and Champlain." + +They traveled two days and two nights and came once more among the high +ridges and peaks. They saw many Indian trails and always they watched for +another. On the third day Tayoga discovered traces in moss and he said with +great satisfaction to his comrade: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, we, too, be wise in our time. The print here speaks to me +like the print on the page of a book. It says that the Great Bear has +passed this way." + +"I can tell that the traces were made by the feet of a white man," said +Robert, "but how do you know they are Dave's?" + +"I have noticed that the Great Bear's feet are more slender than the +average. Also he bears less upon the heel. He poises himself more upon the +toe, like the great swordsman we saw him to be that time in Quebec." + +"The distinctions are too fine for me, Tayoga, but I don't question your +own powers of observation. I accept your statement with gratitude and joy, +too, because now we know that Dave is alive, and somewhere in the great +northern forest of the Province of New York. I knew he could not be dead, +but it's a relief anyhow to have the proof. But as I see no other traces, +how is it, do you think, that he happens to be alone?" + +"The Great Bear may have been making a little scout by himself. I still +think that he is with Rogers and the rangers, and when we follow his trail +we are likely to find soon that he has rejoined them." + +The traces led north and east until they came to rocky ground, where they +were lost, and Tayoga assumed from the fact that they were several days +old, otherwise he could have made them out even in the more difficult +region. But when the path, despite all his searching, vanished in the air, +he began to look higher than the earth. Soon he smiled and said: + +"Ah, the Great Bear is as wise as the fox and the serpent combined. He +knows that a little chance may lead to great results, and so he neglects +none of the little chances." + +"I don't understand you," said Robert, puzzled. + +The Onondaga bent over a bush and showed where a twig had been cut off. + +"See the wound made by his knife," he said, "and look! here is another on a +bush farther on. Both wounds are partly healed, showing that the cut of the +knife was made several days ago. It occurred to the Great Bear that we +might strike his trail some time or other, and when he came to the stony +uplift upon which his moccasins would leave no sign, he made traces +elsewhere. He knew the chance of our ever seeing them was slight, and he +may have made thousands of other traces that we never will see, but the +possibility that we would see some one of the many became a probability." + +"As you present it, it seems simple, Tayoga, but what an infinity of pains +he must have taken!" + +"The Great Bear is that kind of a man." + +The hard, rocky ground extended several miles and their progress over it +was, of necessity, very slow, as Tayoga was compelled to look with extreme +care for the signs the hunter might have left. He found the cut twigs five +times and twice footprints where softer soil existed between the rocks, +making the proofs conclusive to both, and when they emerged into a normal +region beyond they picked up his defined and clear trail once more. + +"I shall be glad to see the Great Bear," said the Onondaga, "and I think he +will be as pleased to know certainly that we are alive as we are to be +assured that he is." + +"He'd never desert us, and if you hadn't come to the Indian village I think +he'd have done so later on." + +"The Great Bear is a man such as few men are. Now, his trail leads on, +straight and bold. He took no trouble to hide it, which proves that he had +friends in this region, and was not afraid to be followed. Here he sat on a +fallen log and rested a while." + +"How do you know that, Tayoga?" + +"See the prints in front of the log. They were made by the heels of his +moccasins only. He tilted his feet up until they rested merely on the +heels. The Great Bear could not have been in that attitude while standing. +Nay, there is more. The Great Bear sat down here not to rest but to think." + +"It's just supposition with you, Tayoga." + +"It is not supposition at all, Dagaeoga, it is certainty. Look, several +little pieces of the bark on the dead log where the Great Bear sat, are +picked off. Here are the places from which they were taken, and here are +the fragments themselves lying on the ground. The Great Bear must have been +thinking very hard and he must have been in great doubt to have had uneasy +hands, because, as you and I know, Dagaeoga, his mind and nerves are of the +calmest." + +"What, then, do you think was on his mind?" + +"He was undecided whether to go on towards Oneadatote or to turn back and +seek us anew. Here are three or four traces, a short and detached trail +leading in the direction from which we have come. Then the traces suddenly +turn. He sat down again and thought it over a second time." + +"You can't possibly know that he resumed his seat on the log!" + +"Oh, yes, I can, Dagaeoga. I wish all that we had to see was as easy, +because here is the second place on the log where he picked at the bark. +Mighty as the Great Bear is he cannot sit in two places at once. Not +Tododaho himself could do that." + +"It's conclusive, and I find here at the end of the log his trail, leading +on toward the east." + +"And he went fast, because the distance between his footprints lengthens. +But he did not do so long. He became very slow suddenly. The space between +the footprints shortens all at once. He turned aside, too, from his course, +and crept through the bushes toward the south." + +"How do you know that he crept?" + +"Because for many steps he rested his weight wholly on his toes. The traces +show it very clearly. The Great Bear was stalking something, and it was not +a foe." + +"That, at least, is supposition, Tayoga." + +"Not supposition, Dagaeoga, and while not absolute certainty it is a great +probability. The toeprints lead straight toward the tiny little lake that +you see shining through the foliage. It was game and not a foe that the +Great Bear was seeking. He wished to shoot a wild fowl. Look, the edge of +the lake here is low, and the tender water grasses grow to a distance of +several yards from the shore. It is just the place where wild ducks or wild +geese would be found, and the Great Bear secured the one he wanted. If you +will look closely, Dagaeoga, you will see the faint trace of blood on the +grass. Blood lasts a long time. Manitou has willed that it should be so, +because it is the life fluid of his creatures. It was a wild goose that the +Great Bear shot." + +"And why not a wild duck?" + +"Because here are two of the feathers, and even Dagaeoga knows they are +the feathers of a goose and not of a duck. It was, too, the fattest goose +in the flock." + +"Which you have no possible way of knowing, Tayoga." + +"But I do, Dagaeoga. It was the fattest goose of the flock, because the +fattest goose of the flock was the one that so wise and skillful a hunter +as the Great Bear would, as a matter of course, select and kill. Learn, O, +Dagaeoga, to trail with your mind as well as with your eye, and ear. The +day may come when the white man will equal the red man in intellect, but it +is yet far off. The Great Bear was very, very hungry, and we shall soon +reach the place where he cleaned and cooked his goose." + +"Come, come, Tayoga! You may draw good conclusions from what you see, but +there are no prophets nowadays. You don't know anything about the state of +Dave's appetite, when he shot that goose, and you can't predict with +certainty that we'll soon come to the place where he made it ready for the +eating." + +"I cannot, Dagaeoga! Why, I am doing it this very instant. Mind! Mind! Did +I not tell you to use your mind? O, Dagaeoga, when will you learn the +simpler things of life? The Great Bear would not have risked a shot at a +wild goose in enemy country, if he had not been very hungry. Otherwise he +would have waited until he rejoined the rangers to obtain food. And, having +risked his shot, and having obtained his goose, which was the fattest in +the flock, he became hungrier than ever. And having risked so much he was +willing to risk more in order to complete the task he had undertaken, +without which the other risks that he had run would have been all in vain." + +"Tayoga, I can almost believe that you have your dictionary with you in +your knapsack." + +"Not in my knapsack, Dagaeoga, but in my head, where yours also ought to +be. Ah, here is where the Great Bear began to make preparations to cook his +goose! His trail wanders back and forth. He was looking for fallen wood to +build the fire. And there, in the little sink between the hills, was where +he built it. Even you, Dagaeoga, can see the ashes and burnt ends of +sticks. The Great Bear must have been as hungry as a wolf to have eaten a +whole goose, and the fattest goose of the flock, too. How do I know he ate +it all? Look in the grass and leaves and you will find enough bones to make +the complete frame of a goose, and every bone is picked clean. Wild animals +might have gleaned on them, you say? No. Here is the trail of a wolf that +came to the dip after the Great Bear had gone, drawn by the savory odors, +but he turned back. He never really entered the dip. Why? When he stood at +the edge his acute and delicate senses told him no meat was left on the +bones, and a wolf neither makes idle exertion, nor takes foolish risk. He +went back at once. And if the wolf had not come, there is another reason +why I knew the Great Bear ate all the goose. He would not have thrown away +any of the bones with flesh still on them. He is too wise a man to waste. +He would have taken with him what was left of the goose. Having finished +his most excellent dinner, the Great Bear looked for a brook." + +"Why a brook?" + +"Because he was thirsty. Everyone is thirsty after a heavy meal. He turned +to the right, as the ground slopes down in that direction. Even you, +Dagaeoga, know that one is more likely to find a brook in a valley than on +a hilltop. Here is the brook, a fine, clear little stream with a sandy +bottom, and here is where the Great Bear knelt and drank of the cool water. +The prints of his strong knees show like carving on a wall. Finding that he +was still thirsty he came back for another drink, because the second prints +are a little distance from the first. + +"Then, after rejoicing over the tender goose and his renewed strength, he +suddenly became very cautious. The danger from the warriors, which he had +forgotten or overlooked in his hunger, returned in acute form to his mind. +He came to the brook a third time, but not to drink. He intended to wade in +the stream that he might hide his trail, which, as you well know, Dagaeoga, +is the oldest and best of all forest devices for such purposes. How many +millions of times must the people of the wilderness have used it! + +"Now the Great Bear had two ways to go in the water, up the stream or down +the stream, and you and I, Dagaeoga, think he went down the stream, because +the current leads on the whole eastward, which was the way in which he +wished to go. At least, we will choose that direction and I will take one +side of the bank and you the other." + +They followed the brook more than a mile with questing eyes, and Tayoga +detected the point at which Willet had emerged, plunging anew into the +forest. + +"Warriors, if they had picked up his trail, could have followed the brook +as we did," said Robert. + +"Of course," said Tayoga, "but the object of the Great Bear was not so much +to hide his flight as to gain time. While we went slowly, looking for the +emergence of his trail, he went fast. Now I think he meant to spend the +night in the woods alone. The rangers must still have been far away. If +they had been near he would not have felt the need of throwing off possible +pursuit." + +They followed the dim traces several hours, and then Tayoga announced with +certainty that the hunter had slept alone in the forest, wrapped in his +blanket. + +"He crept into this dense clump of bushes," he said, "and lay within their +heart, sheltered and hidden by them. You, Dagaeoga, can see where his +weight has pressed them down. Why, here is the outline of a human body +almost as clear and distinct as if it were drawn with black ink upon white +paper! And the Great Bear slept well, too. The bushes are not broken or +shoved aside except in the space merely wide enough to contain his frame. +Perhaps the goose was so very tender and his nerves and tissues had craved +it so much that they were supremely happy when he gave it to them. That is +why they rested so well. + +"In the morning the Great Bear resumed his journey toward the east. He had +no breakfast and doubtless he wished for another goose, but he was +refreshed and he was very strong. The traces are fainter than they were, +because the Great Bear was so vigorous that his feet almost spurned the +earth." + +"Don't you think, Tayoga, that he'll soon turn aside again to hunt? So +strong a man as Dave won't go long without food, especially when the forest +is full of it. We've noticed everywhere that the war has caused the game to +increase greatly in numbers." + +"It will depend upon the position of the force to which the Great Bear +belongs. If it is near he will not seek game, waiting for food until he +rejoins the rangers, but if they are distant he will look for a deer or +another goose, or maybe a duck. But by following we will see what he did. +It cannot be hidden from us. The forest has few secrets from those who are +born in it. Ah, what is this? The Great Bear hid in a bush, and he leaped +suddenly! Behold the distance between the footprints! He saw something that +alarmed him. It may have been a war party passing, and of which he suddenly +caught sight. If so we can soon tell." + +A hundred yards beyond the clump of bushes they found a broad trail, +indicating that at least twenty warriors had gone by, their line of march +leading toward the southeast. + +"They were in no hurry," said the Onondaga, "as they had no fear of +enemies. Their steps are irregular, showing that sometimes they stopped and +talked. Doubtless they meant to join Montcalm, but as they can travel much +faster than an army they were taking their time about it. We will now +return to the bushes in which the Great Bear lay hidden while he watched. +The traces of his footsteps in the heart of the clump are much deeper than +usual, which proves that he stood there quite a while. It is also another +proof that the warriors stopped and talked when they were near him, else he +would not have remained in the clump so long. It is likely, too, that the +Great Bear followed them when they resumed their journey. Yes, here is his +trail leading from the bushes. But it is faint, the Great Bear was stepping +lightly and here is where it merges with the trail of the warriors. He +could not have been more than three or four hundred yards behind them. The +Great Bear was very bold, or else they were very careless. He will not +follow them long, as he merely wishes to get a general idea of their +course, it being his main object to rejoin the rangers." + +"And at this point he turned away from their trail," said Robert, after +they had followed it about a mile. "He is now going due east, and his +traces lead on so straight that he must have known exactly where he +intended to go." + +"Stated with much correctness," said Tayoga in his precise school English. +"Dagaeoga is taking to heart my assertion that the mind is intended for +human use, and he is beginning to think a little. But we shall have to stop +soon for a while, because the night comes. We, too, will sleep in the heart +of the bushes as the Great Bear did." + +"And glad am I to stop," said Robert. "My burden of buffalo robe and deer +and arms and ammunition is beginning to weigh on me. A buffalo robe doesn't +seem of much use on a warm, summer day, but it is such a fine one and you +took so much trouble to get it for me, Tayoga, that I haven't had the heart +to abandon it." + +"It is well that you have brought it, in spite of its weight," said the +Onondaga, "as the night, at this height, is sure to be cold, and the robe +will envelop you in its warmth. See, the dark comes fast." + +The sun sank behind the forest, and the twilight advanced, the deeper dusk +following in its trail, a cold wind began to blow out of the north, and +Robert, as Tayoga had predicted, was thankful now that he had retained the +buffalo robe, despite its weight. He wrapped it around his body and sat on +a blanket in a thicket. Tayoga, by his side, used his two blankets in a +similar manner, and they ate of the deer which they had had the forethought +to cook, and make ready for all times. + +The dusk deepened into the thick dark, and the night grew colder, but they +were warm and at ease. Robert was full of courage and hope. The elements +and all things had served them so much that he was quite sure they would +succeed in everything they undertook. By and by, he stretched himself on +the blanket, and clothed from head to foot in the great robe he slept the +deep sleep of one who had toiled hard and well. An hour later Tayoga also +slept, but in another hour he awoke and sat up, listening with all the +marvelous powers of hearing that nature and cultivation had given him. + +Something was stirring in the thicket, not any of the wild animals, big or +little, but a human being, and Tayoga knew the chances were a hundred to +one that it was a hostile human being. He put his ear to the earth and the +sound came more clearly. Now his wonderful gifts of intuition and forest +reasoning told him what it was. Slowly he rose again, cleared himself of +the blankets, and put his rifle upon them. Then, loosening the pistol in +his belt, but drawing his long hunting knife, he crept from the thicket. + +Tayoga, despite his thorough white education and his constant association +with white comrades, was always an Indian first. Now, as he stole from the +thicket in the dark, knife in hand, he was the very quintessence of a great +warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great +League of the Hodenosaunee. He was what his ancestors had been for +unnumbered generations, a primeval son of the wilderness, seeking the life +of the enemy who came seeking his. + +He kept to his hands and knees, and made no sound as he advanced, but at +intervals he dropped his ear to the ground, and heard the faint rustling +that was drawing nearer. He decided that it was a single warrior who by +some chance had struck their trail in the dusk, and who, with minute pains +and with slowness but certainty, was following it. + +His course took him about thirty yards among the bushes and then through +high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also +helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving +slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth +and went on, sure that bold means would be best. + +The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he +was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga +snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a +Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an +enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so +close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside, +and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a +sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors +swelling in fierce triumph. + +But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which +was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry +that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much +farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the +forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly +back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a +curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened. + +Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not +stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any +sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was +none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and +clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the +bushes. + +"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said. + +"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga. + +"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night." + +"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?" + +"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more." + +"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a +brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without +it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't +wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or +duck this morning." + +"But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the +goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk." + +"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be +accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll +keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads +of whom they will not pass." + +"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning." + +"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of +the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low +ground over there." + +He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to +the left--the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the +right--and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he +found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they +left the lair in the bushes. + +"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a +floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the +night." + +"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another +night comes you will need it as before." + +They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, +expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course. + +"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and +the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not +last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the +little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region." + +In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a +duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, +and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there +some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that +they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping +that they would soon overtake him. + +But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night +spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far +ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they +approached the shores of Champlain. + +"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert. + +"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +READING THE SIGNS + +On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and +Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the +evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake +Champlain. + +"It seems likely to me," said the Onondaga, "that he left the rangers to +seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward. Having learned in +some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers +wherever they may go." + +"And we will follow him wherever he goes," said Robert. + +An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the +trail. Another man coming from the south had joined Willet. The traces were +quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of +the footsteps that the stranger was white. + +"A wandering hunter or trapper? A chance meeting?" said Robert. + +Tayoga shook his head. + +"Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to +join Rogers?" + +"Wrong in both cases," he said. "I know who joined the Great Bear, as well +as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made. It was not a +wandering hunter and it was not a ranger. You will notice, Dagaeoga, that +these traces are uncommonly large. They are not slender like the footprints +of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long. Why, I should know anywhere +in the world what feet made them. Think, Dagaeoga!" + +"I don't seem to recall." + +"Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on +the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all +these also. A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer +them. You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both +in battle. Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!" + +"Black Rifle!" + +"None other. It is far north for him, but he has come, and he and the Great +Bear were glad to see each other. Here they stood and shook hands." + +"There is not a possible sign to indicate such a thing." + +"Only the certain rules of logic. Once again I bid you use your mind. We +see with it oftener than with the eye. White men, when they are good +friends and meet after a long absence, always shake hands. So my mind tells +me with absolute certainty that the Great Bear and Black Rifle did so. Then +they talked together a while. Now the eye tells me, because here are +footsteps in a little group that says so, and then they walked on, +fearless of attack. It is an easy trail to follow." + +He announced in a half hour that they were about to enter an old camp of +the two men. + +"Any child of the Hodenosaunee could tell that it is so," he said, "because +their trails now separate. Black Rifle turns off to the right, and the +Great Bear goes to the left. We will follow Black Rifle first. He wandered +about apparently in aimless fashion, but he had a purpose nevertheless. He +was looking for firewood. We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, +because his object was surely the same. They were so confident of their +united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the +coldness of the night. Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary +for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both. The fact that the +Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it. + +"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on +the crest of which the bushes grow so thick. Once more it is mind and not +eye that tells me so, Dagaeoga. They would build a fire near because they +had begun to look for firewood, which is always plentiful in the forest, +and they would surely choose the dip which lies beyond the hill, because +the circling ridge with its frieze of bushes would hide the flames. +Although sure of their strength they did not neglect caution." + +They passed over the hill, and found the dead embers of the fire. + +"After they had built it Black Rifle sat on that side and the Great Bear +on this," said Tayoga, "and while they were getting it ready the Great Bear +concluded to add something on his own account to the supper." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga? Is this mind or eye?" + +"A combination of the two. The Great Bear is a wonderful marksman, as we +know, and while sitting on the log that he had drawn up before the fire, he +shot his game out of the tall oak on our right." + +"This is neither eye nor mind, Tayoga, it is just fancy." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is mostly eye, though helped by mind. My conclusion that +he was sitting, when he pulled the trigger is mind chiefly. He would not +have drawn up the log unless he had been ready to sit down, and everything +was complete for the supper. The Great Bear never rests until his work is +done, and he is so marvelous with the rifle that it was not necessary for +him to rise when he fired. Wilderness life demands so much of the body that +the Great Bear never makes needless exertion. There mind works, Dagaeoga, +but the rest is all eye. The squirrel was on the curved bough of the oak, +the one that projects toward the north." + +"You assume a good deal to say that it was a squirrel and surely mind not +eye would select the particular bough on which he sat." + +"No, Dagaeoga, eye served the whole purpose. All the other branches are +almost smothered in leaves, but the curved one is nearly bare. It is only +there that the casual glance of the Great Bear, who was not at that time +seeking game, would have caught sight of the squirrel. Also, he must have +been there, otherwise his body could not have fallen directly beneath it, +when the bullet went through his head." + +"Now tell me how your eye knows his body fell from the bough." + +"Ah, Dagaeoga! Your eye was given to you for use as mine was given to me, +then you should use it; in the forest you are lost unless you do. It was my +eye that saw the unmistakable sign, the sign from which all the rest +followed. Look closely and you will detect a little spot of red on the +grass just beneath the bare bough. It was blood from the squirrel." + +"You cannot be sure that it was a squirrel. It might have been a pigeon or +some other bird." + +"That, O, Dagaeoga, would be the easiest of all, even for you, if you could +only use your eyes, as I bid you. Almost at your feet lies a slender bone +that cannot be anything but the backbone of a squirrel. Beyond it are two +other bones, which came from the same body. We know as certainly that it +was a squirrel as we know that the Great Bear ate first a wild goose, and +then a wild duck. But it is a good camp that those two great men made, and, +as the night is coming, we will occupy it." + +They relighted the abandoned fire, warmed their food and ate, and Robert +was once more devoutly glad that he had kept the heavy buffalo robe. Deep +fog came over the mountain soon after dark, and, after a while, a fine +cold, and penetrating rain was shed from the heart of it. They kept the +fire burning and wrapped, Tayoga in his blankets, and, Robert in the robe, +crouched before it. Then they drew the logs that the Great Bear and Black +Rifle had left, in such position that they could lean their backs against +them, and slept, though not the two at the same time. They agreed that it +was wise to keep watch and Robert was sentinel first. + +Tayoga, supported by the log, slept soundly, the flames illuminating his +bronze face and showing the very highest type of the Indian. Robert sat +opposite, his rifle across his knees, but covered by his blanket to protect +it from the fine rain, which was not only cold but insidious, trying to +insert itself beneath his clothing and chill his body. But he kept himself +covered so well that none reached him, and the very wildness of his +surroundings increased his sense of intense physical comfort. + +He did not stir, except now and then to put a fresh chunk of wood on the +fire, and the red blaze between Tayoga and himself was for a time the +center of the world. The cold, white fog was rolling up everywhere thick +and impenetrable, and the fine rain, like a heavy dew that was distilled +from it, fell incessantly. Robert knew that it was moving up the valleys +and clothing all the peaks and ridges. He knew, too, that it would hide +them from their enemies and his sense of comfort grew with the knowledge. +But his conviction that they were safe did not make him relax caution, and, +since eye was useless in the fog, he made extreme call upon ear. + +It seemed to him that the fog was a splendid conductor of sound. It brought +him the rustling of the foliage, the moaning of the light wind through the +ravines, and, at last, another sound, sharp, distinct, a discordant note in +the natural noises of the wilderness, which were always uniform and +harmonious. He heard it a second time, to his right, down the hill, and he +was quite sure that it indicated the presence of man, man who in reality +was near, but whom the fog took far away. The vapors, however, would lift, +then man might come close, and he felt that it was his part to discover who +and what he was. + +Still wrapped in the buffalo robe, he rose and took a few steps from the +fire. Tayoga did not stir, and he was proud that his tread had been without +noise. Beyond the rim of firelight, he paused and listening again heard the +clank twice, not very loud but coming sharp and definite as before through +the vapory air. He parted the bushes very carefully and went down the side +of a ravine, the wet boughs and twigs making no noise as they closed up +after his passage. + +But his progress was very slow, purposely so, as he knew that any mistake +or accident might be fatal, and he intended that no fault of his should +precipitate such a crisis. Once or twice he thought of going back, deeming +his a foolish quest, lost in a wilderness of bushes and blinding fog, but +the sharp, clear clank stirred his purpose anew, and he went on down the +slope, until he saw a red glow in the heart of the fog. Then he sank down +among the bushes and listened with intentness. Presently the faint hum of +voices came to his ear, and he was quite sure that many men were not far +away. + +He resumed his slow advance, but now he was glad the bushes were soaked +with water, as they did not crackle or snap with the passage of his body, +and the luminous glow in front of him broadened and deepened steadily. Near +the bottom of a deep valley he stopped and from his covert saw where great +fires had driven the fog away. Around the fires were many warriors, some of +them sleeping in their blankets, while others were eating prodigiously, +after their manner. Rifles and muskets were stacked in French fashion and +the clank, clank that Robert had heard had been made by the warriors as +they put up their weapons. + +Many were talking freely and seemed to rejoice in the food and fires. It +was Robert's surmise that they had arrived but recently and were weary. +Their numbers were large, they certainly could not be less than four or +five hundred, and his experience was great enough now to tell him that half +of them, at least, were Canadian Indians. All were in war paint, and they +had an abundance of arms. + +Robert's eager eye sought Tandakora, but did not find him. He had no doubt, +however, that this great body of warriors was moving against Rogers and his +rangers, and that it would soon be joined by the Ojibway chief. Tandakora, +anxious for revenge upon the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf, would be +willing to leave Montcalm for a while if he thought that by doing so he +could achieve his purpose. His gaze wandered from the warriors to the +stacked rifles and muskets, and he saw that many of them were of English +or American make, undoubtedly spoil taken at the capture of Oswego. His +heart swelled with anger that the border should have its own weapons turned +against it by the foe. + +It did not take him long to see enough. It was a powerful force, equipped +to strike, and now he was more anxious than ever to overtake Willet. The +fog was still thick and wet, distilling the fine rain, but he had forgotten +discomfort, and, turning back on his path, he sought the dip in which he +had left Tayoga sleeping. He felt a certain pride that it had been his +fortune to discover the band, and, as he had marked carefully the way by +which he had come, it was not a difficult task to retrace his steps. + +The Onondaga was still sleeping, his back against the log, but he awoke +instantly when Robert touched him gently on the shoulder. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he whispered. "You have seen something! Your face +tells me so!" + +"My face tells you the truth," replied Robert. "There is a valley only a +few hundred yards from us, and, in it, are about four hundred warriors, +armed for battle. All the signs indicate that they are going eastward in +search of our friends." + +"You have done well, Dagaeoga. You have used both eye and mind. Was +Tandakora there?" + +"No, but I'm convinced he soon will be." + +"It appears likely. They think, perhaps, they are strong enough to +annihilate the rangers." + +"Maybe they are, unless the rangers are warned. We ought to move at once." + +"But the fog is too thick. We could not tell which way we were going. We +must not lose the trail of the Great Bear and Black Rifle, and, if the fog +lifts, we can regain it in the morning, going ahead of the war band." + +"And then the warriors may pursue us." + +"What does it matter, if we keep well ahead of them and overtake the Great +Bear and Black Rifle, who are surely going toward the rangers? We will put +out the fire, Dagaeoga, and stay here. The fog protects us. Now, you sleep +and I will watch." + +His calmness was reassuring, and it was true that the fog was an almost +certain protection, while it lasted. They smothered the fire carefully, and +then, Robert was sufficient master of his nerves, to go to sleep, wrapped +in the invaluable buffalo robe. The Onondaga kept vigilant watch. His own +ear, too, heard the occasional sound made by human beings in the valley +below, but he did not stir from his place. He had absolute confidence in +Robert's report, and he would not take any unnecessary risk. + +An hour or two before dawn a wind began to rise, and Tayoga knew by feeling +rather than sight that the fog was beginning to thin. If the wind held, it +would all blow away by sunrise, and the rain with it. He awakened Robert at +once. + +"I think we would better move now," he said. "We shall soon be able to see +our way, and a good start ahead of the war band is important." + +They made a northward curve, passing around the valley, in which the camp +of the warriors lay, and, when the sun showed its first luminous edge over +the horizon, they were several miles ahead. The steady wind had carried all +the fog and rain to the southward, but the forest was still wet and +dripping. + +"And now," said Tayoga, "we must pick up anew the trail of the Great Bear +and Black Rifle. We are sure they were continuing east, and by ranging back +and forth from north to south and from south to north we can find it." + +It was a full two hours before they discovered it, leading up a narrow +gorge, and Robert grew anxious lest the war band was already on their own +traces, which the warriors were sure to see in time. So they hastened their +own pursuit and very soon came to a thicket in which the two redoubtable +scouts had passed the night. The trail leading from it was comparatively +fresh and Tayoga was hopeful that they might overtake them before the next +sunset. + +"They do not hurry," he said. "The Great Bear has been telling Black Rifle +of us, and now and then it was their thought to go back into the west to +make another hunt for us. My certainty about it is based on nothing in the +trail. It is just mind once more. It is exactly the idea that a valiant and +patient man like the Great Bear would have, and it would appeal too, to the +soul of such a great warrior as Black Rifle. But after thinking well upon +it, they have decided that the search would be vain for the present, and +once more they go on, though the wish to find us puts weights on their +feet." + +Before noon they came to a place where Black Rifle shot a deer. The +useless portions of the body that the two had left behind spoke a language +none could fail to understand, and they were sure it was Black Rifle who +had fired the shot, because his broader footprints led to the place where +the body had fallen. + +"It proves," said Tayoga, "that the rangers are still well ahead, else two +such wise men as the Great Bear and Black Rifle would not take the trouble +to kill a deer here and carry so much weight with them. It is likely that +the Mountain Wolf and his men are on the shores of Oneadatote itself." + +All that afternoon the trail went upward higher and higher among the ranges +and peaks, but the infallible eye of Tayoga never lost it for a moment. + +"We will not overtake them today, as I had hoped," he said, "but we shall +certainly do so tomorrow before noon." + +"And the coming night is going to offer a striking contrast to the one just +passed," said Robert. "It will be crystal clear." + +"So it will, Dagaeoga, and we will seek a camp among the rocks. It is best +to leave no traces for the warriors." + +They traveled a long distance on the stony uplift before they stopped for +the night, and they did not build any fire, dividing the time into two +watches, each kept with great vigilance. But the pursuit which they were so +sure was now on did not overtake them, and early in the morning they were +once more on the traces of the two hunters. + +"It is now sure we shall reach them before noon," said Tayoga, "but in +what manner we shall first see them I do not know. The trail has become +wonderfully fresh. Ah, they turned suddenly from their course here, and +soon they came back to it, at a point not more than ten feet away. We need +not follow them on their loop to see where they went. We know without +going. They climbed the steep little peak we see on the right, from the +crest of which they had a splendid view over an immense stretch of country +behind us. They looked in that direction because that was the point from +which pursuit or danger would come. The band behind us built a fire, and +the Great Bear and Black Rifle saw its smoke. They saw the smoke because +they could see nothing else so far behind them. After a good look, they +went on at their leisure. They had no fear. It was easy for such as they to +leave the band well in the rear, if they wished." + +"If they haven't changed greatly since we last saw 'em," said Robert, +"they'll go all the more slowly because of the pursuit, and we may catch +'em in a couple of hours. Won't Dave be surprised when he sees us?" + +"It will be a pleasant surprise for him. Here, they have stopped again, and +one of them climbed the tall elm for another view, while the other stood +guard by the trunk. I think, Dagaeoga, that the Great Bear and Black Rifle +were beginning to think less of flight than of battle." + +"You don't mean that knowing the presence of the band behind us they +intended to meet it?" + +"Not to stop it, of course, but spirits such as theirs might have a desire +to harm it a little, and impede its advance. In any event, Dagaeoga, we +shall soon see. Here is where the climber came down, and then the two went +on, walking slowly. They walked slowly, because the traces indicate that +they turned back often, and looked toward the point at which they had seen +the smoke rising. My mind tells me that the Great Bear thought it better to +continue straight ahead, but that Black Rifle was anxious to linger, and +get a few shots at the enemy. It is so, because the Great Bear, as we know, +is naturally cautious and would wish to do what is of the most service in +the campaign, while it is always the desire of Black Rifle to injure the +enemy as much as he can." + +"Your reasoning seems conclusive to me." + +"Did I not tell you, Dagaeoga, that you had the beginnings of a mind? Use +it sedulously, and it will grow yet more." + +"And the time may come when I can talk out of a dictionary as you do, +Tayoga." + +"Which merely proves, Dagaeoga, that those who learn a language always talk +it better than those who are born to it. Ah, they have turned once more, +and the trail leads again to the crest of a hill, where they will take +another long look backward. It seems that the wishes of Black Rifle are +about to prevail. Now we are at the top of the hill, and they stood here +several minutes talking and moving about, as the traces show very clearly. +But look, Dagaeoga, they saw something very much closer at hand than smoke. +Their talk was interrupted with great suddenness, and they took to ambush. +They crouched among these bushes, and you and I know they were a very +dangerous pair with their rifles ready. Still, Dagaeoga, instead of their +taking the battle to the warriors the battle was brought to them." + +"You think, then, an encounter occurred?" + +"I know it. They did not stay crouched here until the enemy went away, but +moved off down the hill, their course on the whole leading away from the +lake. The enemy was before them, because they kept among the bushes, always +in the densest part of them. Here they knelt. The bent grass stems indicate +the pressure of knees. The warriors must have been very close. + +"Now the trail divides. Look, Dagaeoga! Black Rifle went to the right and +the Great Bear to the left. They formed a plan to flank the enemy and to +assail him from two sides. I should judge then that the warriors did not +number more than five or six. We will follow the Great Bear, who made the +slender traces, and if necessary we will come back and follow also those of +Black Rifle. But I think we can read the full account of the contest which +most certainly occurred from the evidence that the Great Bear left." + +"You feel quite sure then that there was fighting?" + +"Yes. It is not an opinion formed from the signs yet seen, but it is drawn +from the characters of the Great Bear and Black Rifle. They would not have +taken so much care unless there was the certainty of conflict. Here the +Great Bear knelt again, and took a long look at his enemy or at least at +the place where his enemy was lying. They were coming to close quarters or +he would not have knelt and waited. Perhaps he held his fire because Black +Rifle was making the wider circuit, and they meant to use their rifles at +the same time." + +The Onondaga was on his own knees now, examining the faint trail intently, +his eyes alight with interest. + +"The event will not be delayed long," he said, "because the Great Bear +stopped continually, seeking an opportunity for a shot. Here he pulled the +trigger." + +He picked up a minute piece of the burned wadding of the muzzle-loading +rifle. + +"The warrior at whom he fired was bound to have been in the thicket beyond +the open space," he said, "and it was there that he fell. He fell because +at such a critical time the Great Bear would not have fired unless he was +sure of his aim. We will look into the thicket" + +They found several spots of blood among the bushes and at another point +about twenty feet away they saw more. + +"Here is where the warrior fell before Black Rifle's bullet," said Tayoga. +"He and the Great Bear must have fired almost at the same time. Undoubtedly +the warriors retreated at once, carrying their dead with them. Let us see +if they did not unite, and leave the thicket at the farthest point from our +two friends." + +The trail was very clear at the place the Onondaga had indicated, and also +many more red spots were there leading away toward the east. + +"We will not follow them." said Tayoga, "because they do not interest us +any more. They have retreated and they do not longer enter into your +campaign and mine, Dagaeoga. We will go back and see where the left wing of +our army, that was the Great Bear, reunited with the right wing, that was +Black Rifle." + +They found the point of junction not far away, and then the deliberate +trail led once more toward Champlain, the two pursuing it several hours in +silence and both noticing that it was rapidly growing fresher. At length +Tayoga stopped on the crest of a ridge and said: + +"We no longer need to seek their trail, Dagaeoga, because I will now talk +with the Great Bear and Black Rifle." + +"Very good, Tayoga. I am anxious to hear what you will say and how you will +say it." + +A bird sang at Robert's side. It was Tayoga trilling forth a melody, +wonderfully clear and penetrating, a melody that carried far up the still +valley beyond. + +"You will remember, Dagaeoga," he said, "that we have often used this call +with the Great Bear. The reply will soon come." + +The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard. He owed much to Willet. +Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were +about to meet after a long parting. He never doubted for a moment that the +Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black +Rifle in the valley below them. + +Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled +the valley. When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as +before. The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of +the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them. The four did not say much, +but in every case the grasp of the hand was strong and long. + +"I went west in search of you, Robert," said the hunter, "but I was +compelled to come back, because of the great events that are forward here. +I felt, however, that Tayoga was there looking for you and would do all any +number of human beings could do." + +"He found me and rescued me," said Robert, "and what of yourself, Dave?" + +"I'm attached, for the present, to the rangers under Rogers. He's on the +shores of Champlain, and he's trying to hold back a big Indian army that +means to march south and join Montcalm for an attack on Fort William Henry +or Fort Edward." + +"And there's a great Indian war band behind you, too, Dave." + +"We know it. We saw their smoke. We also had an encounter with some +scouting warriors." + +"We know that, too, Dave. You ambushed 'em and divided your force, one of +you going to the right and the other to the left. Two of their warriors +fell before your bullets, and then they fled, carrying their slain with +them." + +"Correct to every detail. I suppose Tayoga read the signs." + +"He did, and he also told me when he rescued me that you had carried the +text of the letter we took from Garay to Colonel Johnson in time, and that +the force of St. Luc was turned back." + +"Yes, the preparations for defense made an attack by him hopeless, and +when his vanguard was defeated in the forest he gave up the plan." + +They did not stop long, as they knew the great war band behind them was +pressing forward, but they felt little fear of it, as they were able to +make high speed of their own, despite the weight of their packs, and for +several days and nights they traveled over peaks and ridges, stopping only +at short intervals for sleep. They had no sign from the band behind them, +but they knew it was always there, and that it would probably unite at the +lake with the force the rangers were facing. + +It was about noon of a gleaming summer day when Robert, from the crest of a +ridge, saw once more the vast sheet of water extending a hundred and +twenty-five miles north and south, that the Indians called Oneadatote and +the white men Champlain, and around which and upon which an adventurous +part of his own life had passed. His heart beat high, he felt now that the +stage was set again for great events, and that his comrades and he would, +as before, have a part in the war that was shaking the Old World as well as +the New. + +In the afternoon they met rangers and before night they were in the camp of +Rogers, which included about three hundred men, and which was pitched in a +strong position at the edge of the lake. The Mountain Wolf greeted them +with great warmth. + +"You're a redoubtable four," he said, "and I could wish that instead of +only four I was receiving four hundred like you." + +He showed intense anxiety, and soon confided his reasons to Willet. + +"You've brought me news," he said, "that a big war band is coming from the +west, and my scouts had told me already that a heavy force is to the +northward, and what is worst of all, the northern force is commanded by St. +Luc. It seems that he did not go south with Montcalm, but drew off an army +of both French and Indians for our destruction. He remembers his naval and +land defeat by us and naturally he wants revenge. He is helped, too, by the +complete command of the lake, that the French now hold. Since we've been +pressed southward we've lost Champlain." + +"And of course St. Luc is eager to strike," said Willet. "He can recover +his lost laurels and serve France at the same time. If we're swept away +here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada +upon the Province of New York." + +Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the +repose that he needed so badly. He had brought with him some remnants of +food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so +much danger from the Indian village. Now he put down the robe, heaved a +mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga: + +"I'm proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I've had enough. I'm +glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake +Champlain." + +"And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe." + +"So it is. I should be the last to deny it, but now that we're with the +rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition. To appreciate +what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them." + +The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the +present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they +commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach. They +rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the +wilderness. + +"It's almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this," said +Robert, swimming with strong strokes. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid," said the Onondaga, "but see that you do +not swim too far. Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio. +We had it, but we have lost it." + +"Then we'll get it back again," said Robert courageously. "Champlain is too +fine a lake to lose forever. Wait until I've had a big sleep. Then my brain +will be clear, and I'll tell how it ought to be done." + +The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +ST. LUC'S REVENGE + +When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that +the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed. Rogers was in close +conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a +small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or +west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was +expected. Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know +it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, +and now including the western band, was very near. It was the burden of +their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom +one-third were French or Canadians. + +Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and +Robert joined him. The face of the young Onondaga was very grave. + +"You look for an early battle, I suppose," said Robert. + +"Yes, Dagaeoga," replied his comrade, "and it will be fought with the odds +heavily against us. I think the Mountain Wolf should not have awaited Sharp +Sword here, but who am I to give advice to a leader, so able and with so +much experience?" + +"But we beat St. Luc once in a battle by a lake!" + +"Then we had a fleet, and, for the time, at least, we won command of the +lake. Now the enemy is supreme on Oneadatote. If we have any canoes on its +hundred and twenty-five miles of length they are lone and scattered, and +they stay in hiding near its shores." + +"Why are you watching its waters now so intently, Tayoga?" + +"To see the sentinels of the foe, when they come down from the north. Sharp +Sword is too great a general not to use all of his advantages in battle. He +will advance by water as well as by land, but, first he will use his eyes, +before he permits his hand to strike. Do you see anything far up the lake, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Only the sunlight on the waters." + +"Yes, that is all. I believed, for a moment or two, that I saw a black dot +there, but it was only my fancy creating what I expected my sight to +behold. Let us look again all around the horizon, where it touches the +water, following it as we would a line. Ah, I think I see a dark speck, +just a black mote at this distance, and I am still unable to separate fancy +from fact, but it may be fact. What do you think, Dagaeoga?" + +"My thought has not taken shape yet, Tayoga, but if 'tis fancy then 'tis +singularly persistent. I see the black mote too, to the left, toward the +western shore of the lake, is it not?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, that is where it is. If we are both the victims of fancy +then our illusions are wonderfully alike. Think you that we would imagine +exactly the same thing at exactly the same place?" + +"No, I don't! And as I live, Tayoga, the mote is growing larger! It takes +on the semblance of reality, and, although very far from us, it's my belief +that it's moving this way!" + +"Again my fancy is the same as yours and it is not possible that they +should continue exactly alike through all changes. That which may have been +fancy in the beginning has most certainly turned into fact, and the black +mote that we see upon the waters is in all probability a hostile canoe +coming to spy upon us." + +They watched the dark dot detach itself from the horizon and grow +continuously until their eyes told them, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that +it was a canoe containing two warriors. It was moving swiftly and presently +Rogers and Willet came to look at it. The two warriors brought their light +craft on steadily, but stopped well out of rifle shot, where they let their +paddles rest and gazed long at the shore. + +"It is like being without a right arm to have no force upon the lake," said +Rogers. + +"It cripples us sorely," said Willet. "Perhaps we'd better swallow our +pride, bitter though the medicine may be, and retreat at speed." + +"I can't do it," said Rogers. "I'm here to hold back St. Luc, if I can, and +moreover, 'tis too late. We'd be surrounded in the forest and probably +annihilated." + +"I suppose you're right. We'll meet him where we stand, and when the +battle is over, whatever may be its fortunes, he'll know that he had a real +fight." + +They walked away from the lake, and began to arrange their forces to the +most advantage, but Robert and Tayoga remained on the cliff. They saw the +canoe go back toward the north, melt into the horizon line, and then +reappear, but with a whole brood of canoes. All of them advanced rapidly, +and they stretched into a line half way across the lake. Many were great +war canoes, containing eight or ten men apiece. + +"Now the attack by land is at hand," said Tayoga. "Sharp Sword is sure to +see that his two forces move forward at the same time. Hark!" + +They heard the report of a rifle shot in the forest, then another and +another. Willet joined them and said it was the wish of Rogers that they +remain where they were, as a small force was needed at that point to +prevent a landing by the Indians. A fire from the lake would undoubtedly be +opened upon their flank, but if the warriors could be kept in their canoes +it could not become very deadly. Black Rifle came also, and he, Willet, +Robert, Tayoga and ten of the rangers lying down behind some trees at the +edge of the cliff, watched the water. + +The Indian fleet hovered a little while out of rifle shot. Meanwhile the +firing in the forest grew. Bullets from both sides pattered on leaves and +bark, and the shouts of besieged and besiegers mingled, but the members of +the force on the cliff kept their eyes resolutely on the water. + +"The canoes are moving again," said Tayoga. "They are coming a little +nearer. I see Frenchmen in some of them and presently they will try to +sweep the bank with their rifles." + +"Our bullets will carry as far as theirs," said the hunter. + +"True, O, Great Bear, and perhaps with surer aim." + +In another moment puffs of white smoke appeared in the fleet, which was +swinging forward in a crescent shape, and Robert heard the whine of lead +over his head. Then Willet pulled the trigger and a warrior fell from his +canoe. Black Rifle's bullet sped as true, and several of the rangers also +found their targets. Yet the fleet pressed the attack. Despite their +losses, the Indians did not give back, the canoes came closer and closer, +many of the warriors dropped into the water behind their vessels and fired +from hiding, bullets rained around the little band on the cliff, and +presently struck among them. Two of the rangers were slain and two more +were wounded. Robert saw the Frenchmen in the fleet encouraging the +Indians, and he knew that their enemies were firing at the smoke made by +the rifles of the defenders. Although he and his comrades were invisible to +the French and Indians in the fleet, the bullets sought them out +nevertheless. Wounds were increasing and another of the rangers was killed. +Theirs was quickly becoming an extremely hot corner. + +But Willet, who commanded at that point, gave no order to retreat. He and +all of his men continued to fire as fast as they could reload and take aim. +Yet to choose a target became more difficult, as the firing from the fleet +made a great cloud of smoke about it, in which the French and Indians were +hidden, or, at best, were but wavering phantoms. Robert's excited +imagination magnified them fivefold, but he had no thought of shirking the +battle, and he crept to the very brink, seeking something at which to fire +in the clouds of smoke that were steadily growing larger and blacker. + +The foes upon the lake fought mostly in silence, save for the crackle of +their rifles, but Robert became conscious presently of a great shouting +behind him. In his concentration upon their own combat he had forgotten the +main battle; but now he realized that it was being pressed with great fury +and upon a half circle from the north and west. He looked back and saw that +the forest was filled with smoke pierced by innumerable red flashes; the +rattle of the rifles there made a continuous crash, and then he heard a +tremendous report, followed by a shout of dismay from the rangers. + +"What is it?" he cried. "What is it?" + +Willet, who was crouched near him, turned pale, but he replied in a steady +voice. + +"St. Luc has brought a field piece, a twelve-pounder, I think, and they've +opened fire with grape-shot. They'll sweep the whole forest. Who'd have +thought it?" + +The battle sank for a moment, and then a tremendous yell of triumph came +from the Indians. Presently, the cannon crashed again, and its deadly +charge of grape took heavy toll of the rangers. Then the lake and the +mountains gave back the heavy boom of the gun in many echoes, and it was +like the toll of doom. The Indians on both water and shore began to shout +in the utmost fury, and Robert detected the note of triumph in the +tremendous volume of sound. His heart went down like lead. Rogers crept +back to Willet and the two talked together earnestly. + +"The cannon changes everything," said the leader of the rangers. "More than +twenty of my men are dead, and nearly twice as many are wounded. 'Tis +apparent they have plenty of grape, and they are sending it like hail +through the forest. The bushes are no shelter, as it cuts through 'em. +Dave, old comrade, what do you think?" + +"That St. Luc is about to have his revenge for the defeat we gave him at +Andiatarocte. The cannon with its grape turns the scale. They come on with +uncommon fury! It seems to me I hear a thousand rifles all together." + +St. Luc now pressed the attack from every side save the south. The French +and Indians in the fleet redoubled their fire. The twelve-pounder was +pushed forward, and, as fast as the expert French gunners could reload it, +the terrible charges of grape-shot were sent among the rangers. More were +slain or wounded. The little band of defenders on the high cliff +overlooking the lake at last found their corner too hot for them and were +compelled to join the main force. Then the French and Indians in the fleet +landed with shouts of triumph and rushed upon the Americans. + +Robert caught glimpses of other Frenchmen as he faced the forest. Once an +epaulet showed behind a bush and then a breadth of tanned face which he was +sure belonged to De Courcelles. And so this man who had sought to make him +the victim of a deadly trick was here! And perhaps Jumonville also! A +furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, +but it disappeared. He crept a little farther forward, hoping for another +view, and Tayoga noticed his eager, questing gaze. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he asked. "Whom do you hate so much?" + +"I saw the French Colonel, De Courcelles, and I was seeking to draw a bead +on him, but he has gone." + +"Perhaps he has, but another takes his place. Look at the clump of bushes +directly in front of us and you will see a pale blue sleeve which beyond a +doubt holds the arm of a French officer. The arm cannot be far away from +the head and body, which I think we will see in time, if we keep on +looking." + +Both watched the bushes with a concentrated gaze and presently the head and +shoulders, following the arm, disclosed themselves. Robert raised his rifle +and took aim, but as he looked down the sights he saw the face among the +leaves, and a shudder shook him. He lowered his rifle. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" whispered the Onondaga. + +"The man I chose for my target," replied Robert, "was not De Courcelles, +nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonnière, who was so kind to us +in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull +trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life." + +"Is he still there?" + +Robert looked again and De Galissonnière was gone. He felt immense relief. +He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to +face in battle. + +The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the +rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and +muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers +was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been +exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded +so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades. + +They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and +holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving +rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all +the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly +than on that day. + +Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and +firing whenever he could secure a good aim. + +"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga. + +"No," replied the Onondaga. + +"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance." + +"He is here." + +"But you said you hadn't seen him." + +"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we +observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more +than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it +every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it +is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure." + +Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of +Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder +again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many +times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising +at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked +eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet +through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at +which to aim. + +Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled +with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so many +dangers, merely to take part in such a disaster? Unconsciously he began to +shout in an effort to encourage those with him, and although he did not +know it, it was a reply to the war cries of Tandakora. The smoke and the +odors of the burned gunpowder filled his nostrils and throat, and heated +his brain. Now and then he would stop his own shouting and listen for the +reply of Tandakora. Always it came, the ferocious note of the Ojibway +swelling and rising above the warwhoop of the other Indians. + +"Dagaeoga looks for Tandakora," said the Onondaga. + +"Truly, yes," replied Robert. "Just now it's my greatest wish in life to +find him with a bullet. I hear his voice almost continuously, but I can't +see him! I think the smoke hides him." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is not the smoke, it is Areskoui. I know it, because the +Sun God has whispered it in my ear. You will hear the voice of Tandakora +all through the battle, but you will not see him once." + +"Why should your Areskoui protect a man like Tandakora, who deserves death, +if anyone ever did?" + +"He protects him, today merely, not always. It is understood that I shall +meet Tandakora in the final reckoning. I told him so, when I was his +captive, and he struck me in the face. It was no will of mine that made me +say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them. So, I know, +O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now. His time is +not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks." + +Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and +his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a +prophet's. The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the +depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true. Then the +tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as +before, his body remained invisible. Tandakora's Indians, many of whom had +come with him from the far shores of the Great Lakes, showed all the +cunning and courage that made them so redoubtable in forest warfare. Armed +with good French muskets and rifles they crept forward among the thickets, +and poured in an unceasing fire. Encouraged by the success at Oswego, and +by the knowledge that the great St. Luc, the best of all the French +leaders, was commanding the whole force, their ferocity rose to the highest +pitch and it was fed also by the hope that they would destroy all the hated +and dreaded rangers whom they now held in a trap. + +Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds, +and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush, +and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed +boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before +the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal, +always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the +bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers. + +"It's a powerful attack," said Robert. + +"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because +they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded. +They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops." + +"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the +battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This +place is becoming too much exposed." + +They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they +could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely +missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed +closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by +hundreds of rifles and muskets. + +Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around +them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the +rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert +knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his +place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor +and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly +superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with +him in the bushes. + +"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us." + +"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men. +St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap. +There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap." + +"I hate to yield the field." + +"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to +lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your +standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever." + +The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked +sadly upon his fallen men. He was bleeding himself from two slight wounds, +but he paid no attention to them. The need to flee pierced his soul, but +he saw that it must be done, else all the rangers would be destroyed, and, +while he still hesitated a moment or two, the silver whistle of St. Luc, +urging on a fresh and greater attack, rose above all the sounds of combat. +Then he knew that he must wait no longer, and he gave the command for +ordered flight. + +Not more than half of the rangers escaped from that terrible converging +attack. St. Luc's triumph was complete. He had won full revenge for his +defeat by Andiatarocte, and he pushed the pursuit with so much energy and +skill that Rogers bade the surviving rangers scatter in the wilderness to +reassemble again, after their fashion, far to the south. + +Black Rifle remained with the leader, but Robert, Tayoga and Willet +continued their flight together, not stopping until night, when they were +safe from pursuit. As the three went southward through the deep forest, +they saw many trails that they knew to be those of hostile Indians, and +nowhere did they find a sign of a friend. All the wilderness seemed to have +become the country of the enemy. When they looked once more from the lofty +shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they +watched they discovered that they were those of the foe. A terrible fear +clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St. Luc, had struck +already. + +"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga. "All that we find +in the forest proclaims it." + +"I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you +are." + +They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon. +Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, +following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced +south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the +dense thickets for rest. The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than +usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky +folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension. + +They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their +blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and +its touch was damp. Clouds also covered all the skies, and, before long, a +thin, drizzling rain fell. They would have been cold, and, in time, wet to +the bone, but the blankets were sufficient to protect them. + +"Areskoui, after smiling upon us for so long, has now turned his face from +us," said Tayoga. + +"What else can you expect?" said the valiant Willet. "It is always so in +war. You're up and then you're down. We were masters of the peaks for a +while, and by our capture of Garay's letter we kept St. Luc from attacking +Albany, but the stars never fight for you all the time. We couldn't do +anything that would save the rangers from defeat." + +The Onondaga looked up. The others could not see his face, but it was +reverential, and the cold rain that fell upon it had then no chill for +him. Instead it was soothing. + +"Tododaho is on his great star beyond the clouds," he said, "and he is +looking down on us. We have done wrong or he and Areskoui would not have +withdrawn their favor from us, but we have done it unknowingly, and, in +time, they will forgive us. As long as the Onondagas are true to him +Tododaho will watch over them, although at times he may punish them." + +That Tododaho was protecting them even then was proved conclusively to +Tayoga before the night was over. A great war party passed within a hundred +yards of them, going swiftly southward, but the three, swathed in their +blankets, and, hidden in the dark thickets, had no fear. They were merely +three motes in the wilderness and the warriors did not dream that they were +near. When the last sound of their marching had sunk into nothingness, +Tayoga said: + +"It was not the will of Tododaho that they should suspect our presence, but +I fear that they go to a triumph." + +They rose from the thicket early the following morning, and resumed their +flight, but it soon came to a halt, when the Onondaga pointed to a trail in +the forest, made apparently by about twenty warriors. The hawk eye of +Tayoga, however, picked out one trace among them which all three knew was +made by a white man. + +"I know, too," said the red youth, "the white man who made it." + +"Tell us his name," said the hunter, who had full confidence in the +wonderful powers of the Onondaga. + +"It is the Frenchman, Langlade, who held Dagaeoga a prisoner in his village +so long. I know his traces, because I followed them before. His foot is +very small, and it has been less than an hour since he passed here. They +are ahead of us, directly in our path." + +"What do you think we ought to do, Dave?" asked Robert, anxiously. "You +know we want to go south as fast as we can." + +"We must try to go around Langlade," replied Willet. "It's true, we'll lose +time, but it's better to lose time and be late a little than to lose our +lives and never get there at all." + +"The Great Bear is a very wise man," said Tayoga. + +They made at once a sharp curve toward the east, but just when they thought +they were passing parallel with Langlade's band, they were fired upon from +a thicket, the bullet singing by Robert's ear. The three took cover in the +bushes, and a long and trying combat of sharpshooters took place. Two +warriors were slain and both Willet and Tayoga were grazed by the Indian +fire, but they were not hurt. Robert once caught sight of Langlade, and he +might have dropped the partisan with his bullet, but his heart held his +hand. Langlade had shown him many a kindness, during his long captivity +and, although he was a fierce enemy now, the lad was not one to forget. As +he had spared De Galissonnière, so would he spare Langlade, and, in a +moment or two, the Frenchman was gone from his sight. + +Another dark and rainy night came, and, protected by it, they crept in +silence past the partisan's band soon leaving this new danger far behind +them. Tayoga was very grateful, and accepted their escape as a sign. + +"While Manitou, who rules all things, has decreed that we must suffer much +before victory," he said, "yet, as I see it, he has decreed also that we +three shall not fall, else why does he spread so many dangers before us, +and then take us safely through them?" + +"It looks the same way to me," said Willet. "The dark and rainy night that +he sent enabled us to pass by Langlade and his band." + +"A second black night following a first," said Tayoga, devoutly. "I do not +doubt that it was sent for our benefit by Manitou, who is lord even over +Tododaho and Areskoui." + +They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they +caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake's +glittering waters. But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians +upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that +Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at +least, to their enemies. Yet the three themselves were favored. The rain +ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight +became easy. A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, +furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they +were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure. + +"It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated," said Tayoga in his +precise language, "that the frown of Manitou is not for us three. The way +opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends." + +"If we have any friends left," said the hunter. "I fear greatly, Tayoga, +that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive. He has a powerful force +with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed." + +"He has struck already and he has struck terribly," said Tayoga with great +gravity. + +"How do you know that?" asked Robert, startled. + +"I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words," +replied the Onondaga, "but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more +potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning +me. We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement. The +governors of the provinces have not acted together. Everyone is of his own +mind, and no two minds are alike. No effort was made to profit by the great +victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte. Waraiyageh, sore in body +and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been +ready and vigorous." + +"While the French and Indians are all that we are not?" + +"Even so. Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he +intends to do. He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below. His +force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in +numbers. He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has +struck. There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I +tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us." + +"I don't want to believe you, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I do. The +conclusion seems inevitable to me." + +"I'm hoping when hope's but faint," said Robert. + +They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at +least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with +precision. + +"Here passed the cannon," said Tayoga. "I judge by the size of the ruts the +wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way. What do you +say, Great Bear?" + +"You're right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; +a child could tell their number. They had other batteries too." + +"And the wooden walls of our forts wouldn't stand much chance against a +continuous fire of twelve and eighteen pounders," said Robert. + +"No," said Willet. "The forts could be saved only by enterprising and +skillful commanders who would drive away the batteries." + +"Here went the warriors," said Tayoga. "They were on the outer edges of the +great trail, walking lightly, according to their custom. See the traces of +the moccasins, scores and scores of them. We will come very soon to a place +where the whole army camped for the night. How do I know, O, Dagaeoga? +Because numerous trails are coming in from the forest and converging upon +one point. They do that because it is time to gather for food and the +night's rest. Some of the warriors went into the forest to hunt game, and +they found it, too. Look at the drops of blood, still faintly showing on +the grass, leading here, and here, and here into the main trail, drops that +fell from the deer they had slain. Also they shot birds. Behold feathers +hanging on the bushes, blown there by the wind, which proves that the site +of their camp is very near, as I said." + +"It's just over the hill in that wide, shallow valley," said Willet. + +They entered the valley which had been marked by the departed army with +signs as clear as the print of a book for the Onondaga and the hunter to +read. + +"Here at the northern end of the valley is where the warriors cooked and +ate the deer they had slain," said Tayoga. "The bones are scattered all +about, and we see the ashes of their fires, but they kept mostly to +themselves, because few footprints of white men lead to the place they set +aside as their own. Just beyond them the cannon were parked. All this is +very simple. An Onondaga child eight years old could read what is written +in this camp. Here are the impressions made by the cannon wheels, and just +beside them the artillery horses were tethered, as the numerous hoofprints +show." + +"And here, I imagine," said Robert, who had walked on, "the Marquis de +Montcalm and his lieutenants spent the night. Tents were pitched for them. +You can see the holes left by the pegs." + +"Spoken truly, O, Dagaeoga. You are using eye and mind, and lo! you are +showing once more the beginnings of wisdom. Four tents were pitched. The +rest of the army slept in the open. Montcalm and his lieutenants +themselves would have done so, but the setting up of the tents inspired +respect in the warriors and even in the troops. The French leaders have +mind and they profit by it. They neglect no precaution, no detail to +increase their prestige and maintain their authority." + +"It is so, Tayoga," said Willet, "and I can wish that our own officers +would do the same. The French are marvelously expert in dealing with +Indians. They can handle them all, except the Hodenosaunee. But don't you +think they held a short council here by this log, after they had eaten +their suppers?" + +"It cannot be doubted, Great Bear. Montcalm and his captains sat on the +log. The Indian chiefs sat in a half circle before it, and they smoked a +pipe. See, the traces of the ashes on the grass. They were planning the +attack upon the fort. It is bound to be William Henry, because the trail +leads in that direction." + +"And these marks on the log, Tayoga, show that there was some indecision, +at first, and much talking. Two or three of the French officers had their +hunting knives in their hands, and they carved nervously at the log, just +as a man will often whittle as he argues." + +"Well stated, O, Great Bear. After the conference, the chiefs went back in +single file to their own part of the camp. Here goes their trail, and you +can nearly fancy that all stepped exactly in the footprints of the first." + +"The straight, decisive line proves too, Tayoga, that the plan was +completed and everything ready for the attack. The chiefs would not have +gone away in such a manner if they had not been satisfied." + +"Well stated again, Great Bear. The Marquis de Montcalm also went directly +back to his tent. See, where the boot heels pressed." + +"But you have no way of knowing," said Robert, "that the traces of boot +heels indicate the Marquis." + +"O, Dagaeoga, after all my teaching, you forget again that mind can see +where the eye cannot. Train the mind! Train the mind, and you will get much +profit from it. The traces of these boot heels lead directly to the place +where the largest tent stood. We know it was the largest, because the holes +left by the tent pegs are farthest apart. And we know it belonged to the +Marquis de Montcalm, because, always having that keen eye for effect, the +French Commander-in-Chief would have no tent but the largest." + +"True as Gospel, Tayoga," said the hunter, "and the French officers +themselves had a little conference in the tent of the Marquis, after they +had finished with the Indian chiefs. Here, within the square made by the +pegs, are the prints of many boot heels and they were not all made by the +Marquis, since they are of different sizes. Probably they were completing +some plans in regard to the artillery, since the warriors would have +nothing to do with the big guns. Here are ashes, too, in the corner near +one of the pegs. I think it likely that the Marquis smoked a thoughtful +pipe after all the others had gone." + +"Aye, Dave," said Robert, "and he had much to think about. The officers +from Europe find things tremendously changed when they come from their +open fields into this mighty wilderness. We know what happened to Braddock, +because we saw it, and we had a part in it. I can understand his mistake. +How could a soldier from Europe read the signs of the forest, signs that he +had never seen before, and foresee the ambush?" + +"He couldn't, Robert, lad, but while countries change in character men +themselves don't. Braddock was brave, but he should have remembered that he +was not in Europe. The Marquis de Montcalm remembers it. He made no mistake +at Oswego and he is making none here. He took the Indian chiefs into +council, as we have just seen. He placates them, he humors their whims, and +he draws out of them their full fighting power to be used for the French +cause." + +Tayoga ranged about the shallow valley a little, and announced that the +whole force had gone on together the morning after the encampment. + +"The artillery and the infantry were in close ranks," he said, "and the +warriors were on either flank, scouting in the forest, forming a fringe +which kept off possible scouts of the English and Americans. There was no +chance of a surprise attack which would cut up the forces of Montcalm and +impede his advance." + +Willet sighed. + +"The Marquis, although he may not have known it," he said, "was in no +danger from such an enterprise. We have read the signs too well, Tayoga. +Our own people have been lying in their forts, weak of will, waiting to +defend themselves, while the French and their allies have had all the +wilderness to range over, and in which they might do as they pleased. It is +easy to see where the advantage lies." + +"And we shall soon learn what has happened," said Tayoga, gravely. + +The next morning they met an American scout who told them the terrible news +of the capture of Fort William Henry, with its entire garrison, by +Montcalm, and the slaughter afterward of many of the prisoners by the +Indians. + +Robert was appalled. + +"Is Lake George to remain our only victory?" he exclaimed. + +"It's better to have a bad beginning and a good ending than a good +beginning and a bad ending," said the scout. + +"Remember," said Tayoga, "how Areskoui watched over us, when we were among +the peaks. As he watched over us then so later on he will watch over our +cause." + +"It was only for a moment that I felt despair," said Robert. "It is certain +that victory always comes to those who know how to work and wait." + +Courage rose anew in their hearts, and once more they sped southward, +resolved to make greater efforts than any that had gone before. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. 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Altsheler. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + P { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + } + HR { width: 33%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + BODY{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ + .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. Altsheler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Masters of the Peaks + A Story of the Great North Woods + +Author: Joseph A. Altsheler + +Release Date: April 16, 2004 [EBook #11311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTERS OF THE PEAKS *** + + + + +Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<h1>The MASTERS of the PEAKS</h1> + +<h3>A STORY OF THE GREAT NORTH WOODS</h3> + + +<h2>BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER</h2> + +<h3>1918</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="FOREWORD"></a><h2>FOREWORD</h2> +<br> + +<p>"The Masters of the Peaks," while presenting a complete story in +itself is the fourth volume of the French and Indian War Series, of +which the predecessors were "The Hunters of the Hills," "The Shadow +of the North," and "The Rulers of the Lakes." Robert Lennox, Tayoga, +Willet, and all the other important characters of the earlier romances +reappear in the present book.</p> + +<br> +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + <a href="#CHARACTERS_IN_THE_FRENCH_AND_INDIAN_WAR_SERIES"><b>CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHARACTERS"><b>CHARACTERS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I: IN THE DEEP WOODS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II: ON THE RIDGES</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III: THE BRAVE DEFENSE</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV: THE GODS AT PLAY</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V: TAMING A SPY</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI: PUPILS OF THE BEAR</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII: THE SLEEPING SENTINELS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII: BEFORE MONTCALM</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX: THE SIGN OF THE BEAR</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X: THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI: THE MYSTIC VOYAGE</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII: THE MARVELOUS TRAILER</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII: READING THE SIGNS</b></a><br> + <a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV: ST. LUC'S REVENGE</b></a><br> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHARACTERS_IN_THE_FRENCH_AND_INDIAN_WAR_SERIES"></a><h2>CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES</h2> +<br> + +<p>ROBERT LENNOX: A lad of unknown origin</p> + +<p>TAYOGA: A young Onondaga warrior</p> + +<p>DAVID WILLET: A hunter</p> + +<p>RAYMOND LOUIS DE ST. LUC: A brilliant French officer</p> + +<p>AUGUSTE DE COURCELLES: A French officer</p> + +<p>FRANÇOIS DE JUMONVILLE: A French officer</p> + +<p>LOUIS DE GALISSONNIÈRE: A young French officer</p> + +<p>JEAN DE MÉZY: A corrupt Frenchman</p> + +<p>ARMAND GLANDELET: A young Frenchman</p> + +<p>PIERRE BOUCHER: A bully and bravo</p> + +<p>PHILIBERT DROUILLARD: A French priest</p> + +<p>THE MARQUIS DUQUESNE: Governor-General of Canada</p> + +<p>MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL: Governor-General of Canada</p> + +<p>FRANÇOIS BIGOT: Intendant of Canada</p> + +<p>MARQUIS DE MONTCALM: French commander-in-chief</p> + +<p>DE LEVIS: A French general</p> + +<p>BOURLAMAQUE: A French general</p> + +<p>BOUGAINVILLE: A French general</p> + +<p>ARMAND DUBOIS: A follower of St. Luc</p> + +<p>M. DE CHATILLARD: An old French Seigneur</p> + +<p>CHARLES LANGLADE: A French partisan</p> + +<p>THE DOVE: The Indian wife of Langlade</p> + +<p>TANDAKORA: An Ojibway chief</p> + +<p>DAGONOWEDA: A young Mohawk chief</p> + +<p>HENDRICK: An old Mohawk chief</p> + +<p>BRADDOCK: A British general</p> + +<p>ABERCROMBIE: A British general</p> + +<p>WOLFE: A British general</p> + +<p>COL. WILLIAM JOHNSON: Anglo-American leader</p> + +<p>MOLLY BRANT: Col. Wm. Johnson's Indian wife</p> + +<p>JOSEPH BRANT: Young brother of Molly Brant, afterward the great Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea</p> + +<p>ROBERT DINWIDDIE: Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHARACTERS"></a><h2>CHARACTERS</h2> +<br> + +<p>WILLIAM SHIRLEY: Governor of Massachusetts</p> + +<p>BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: Famous American patriot</p> + +<p>JAMES COLDEN: A young Philadelphia captain</p> + +<p>WILLIAM WILTON: A young Philadelphia lieutenant</p> + +<p>HUGH CARSON: A young Philadelphia lieutenant</p> + +<p>JACOBUS HUYSMAN: An Albany burgher</p> + +<p>CATERINA: Jacobus Huysman's cook</p> + +<p>ALEXANDER MCLEAN: An Albany schoolmaster</p> + +<p>BENJAMIN HARDY: A New York merchant</p> + +<p>JOHNATHAN PILLSBURY: Clerk to Benjamin Hardy</p> + +<p>ADRIAN VAN ZOON: A New York merchant</p> + +<p>THE SLAVER: A nameless rover</p> + +<p>ACHILLE GARAY: A French spy</p> + +<p>ALFRED GROSVENOR: A young English officer</p> + +<p>JAMES CABELL: A young Virginian</p> + +<p>WALTER STUART: A young Virginian</p> + +<p>BLACK RIFLE: A famous "Indian fighter"</p> + +<p>ELIHU STRONG: A Massachusetts colonel</p> + +<p>ALAN HERVEY: A New York financier</p> + +<p>STUART WHYTE: Captain of the British sloop, <i>Hawk</i></p> + +<p>JOHN LATHAM: Lieutenant of the British sloop, <i>Hawk</i></p> + +<p>EDWARD CHARTERIS: A young officer of the Royal Americans</p> + +<p>ZEBEDEE CRANE: A young scout and forest runner</p> + +<p>ROBERT ROGERS: Famous Captain of American Rangers</p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_I"></a><h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<br> + +<h3>IN THE DEEP WOODS</h3> + +<p>A light wind sang through the foliage, turned to varying and vivid +hues now by the touch of autumn, and it had an edge of cold that made +Robert Lennox shiver a little, despite a hardy life in wilderness and +open. But it was only a passing feeling. A moment or two later he +forgot it, and, turning his eyes to the west, watched the vast +terraces of blazing color piled one above another by the sinking sun.</p> + +<p>Often as he had seen it the wonderful late glow over the mighty forest +never failed to stir him, and to make his pulse beat a little faster. +His sensitive mind, akin in quality to that of a poet, responded with +eagerness and joy to the beauty and majesty of nature. Forgetting +danger and the great task they had set for themselves, he watched the +banks of color, red and pink, salmon and blue, purple and yellow, +shift and change, while in the very heart of the vast panorama the +huge, red orb, too strong for human sight, glittered and flamed.</p> + +<p>The air, instinct with life, intoxicated him and he became rapt as in +a vision. People whom he had met in his few but eventful years passed +before him again in all the seeming of reality, and then his spirit +leaped into the future, dreaming of the great things he would see, and +in which perhaps he would have a share.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, the young Onondaga, looked at his comrade and he understood. +The same imaginative thread had been woven into the warp of which +he was made, and his nostrils and lips quivered as he drank in the +splendor of a world that appealed with such peculiar force to him, a +son of the woods.</p> + +<p>"The spirit of Areskoui (the Sun God) is upon Dagaeoga, and he has +left us to dwell for a little while upon the seas of color heaped +against the western horizon," he said.</p> + +<p>Willet, the hunter, smiled. The two lads were very dear to him. He +knew that they were uncommon types, raised by the gift of God far +above the normal.</p> + +<p>"Let him rest there, Tayoga," he said, "while those brilliant banks +last, which won't be long. All things change, and the glorious hues +will soon give way to the dark."</p> + +<p>"True, Great Bear, but if the night comes it, in turn, must yield to +the dawn. All things change, as you say, but nothing perishes. The sun +tomorrow will be the same sun that we see today. Black night will not +take a single ray from its glory."</p> + +<p>"It's so, Tayoga, but you talk like a book or a prophet. I'm wondering +if our lives are not like the going and coming of the sun. Maybe we +pass on from one to another, forever and forever, without ending."</p> + +<p>"Great Bear himself feels the spell of Areskoui also."</p> + +<p>"I do, but we'd better stop rhapsodizing and think about our needs. +Here, Robert, wake up and come back to earth! It's no time to sing a +song to the sun with the forest full of our red enemies and the white +too, perhaps."</p> + +<p>Robert awoke with a start.</p> + +<p>"You dragged me out of a beautiful world," he said.</p> + +<p>"A world in which you were the central star," rejoined the hunter.</p> + +<p>"So I was, but isn't that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man +creates? He's their sun or he wouldn't create 'em."</p> + +<p>"We're getting too deep into the unknown. Plant your feet on the solid +earth, Robert, and let's think about the problems a dark night is +going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. +Lawrence."</p> + +<p>Young Lennox shivered again. The terraces in the west suddenly began +to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge.</p> + +<p>"I know one thing," he said. "I know the night's going to be cold. It +always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I'd +like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could +warm our food."</p> + +<p>The hunter glanced at the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"That tells the state of my mind, too," he said, "but I doubt whether +it would be safe. If we're to be good scouts, fit to discover the +plans of the French and Indians, we won't get ourselves cut off by +some rash act in the very beginning."</p> + +<p>"It may not be a great danger or any at all," said Tayoga. "There is +much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and +we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a +smothered fire."</p> + +<p>"You're a friend at the right time, Tayoga," said Robert. "I feel that +I must have warmth. Lead on and find the stony hollow for us."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty +hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was +coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy.</p> + +<p>The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a +triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped. They had waited +to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but +there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one +another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the +season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts +and roving bands that never rested. But Robert, Willet and Tayoga +hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance +during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great +risks in the effort.</p> + +<p>They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and +passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze. The +wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder. The +glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as +yet without stars, spread over the earth.</p> + +<p>Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, +stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the +selection of a place where they could stay. The Onondaga, guided by +long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had +lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence. +His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they +desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many +hollows.</p> + +<p>The darkness increased, and the wind swept through the chasms with +alternate moan and whistle, but the red youth held on his course for +a full two miles, and his comrades followed without a word. When the +cliffs about them rose to a height of two or three hundred feet, he +stopped, and, pointing with a long forefinger, said he had found what +they wished.</p> + +<p>Robert at first could see nothing but a pit of blackness, but +gradually as he gazed the shadows passed away, and he traced a deep +recess in the stone of the cliff, not much of a shelter to those +unused to the woods, but sufficient for hardy forest runners.</p> + +<p>"I think we may build a little fire in there," said Tayoga, "and no +one can see it unless he is here in the ravine within ten feet of us."</p> + +<p>Willet nodded and Robert joyfully began to prepare for the blaze. The +night was turning even colder than he had expected, and the chill +was creeping into his frame. The fire would be most welcome for its +warmth, and also because of the good cheer it would bring. He swept +dry leaves into a heap within the recess, put upon them dead wood, +which was abundant everywhere, and then Tayoga with artful use of +flint and steel lighted the spark.</p> + +<p>"It is good," admitted the hunter as he sat Turkish fashion on the +leaves, and spread out his hands before the growing flames. "The +nights grow cold mighty soon here in the high hills of the north, and +the heat not only loosens up your muscles, but gives you new courage."</p> + +<p>"I intend to make myself as comfortable as possible," said Robert. +"You and Tayoga are always telling me to do so and I know the advice +is good."</p> + +<p>He gathered great quantities of the dry leaves, making of them what +was in reality a couch, upon which he could recline in halfway fashion +like a Roman at a feast, and warm at the fire before him the food he +carried in a deerskin knapsack. An appetizing odor soon arose, and, as +he ate, a pleasant warmth pervaded all his body, giving him a feeling +of great content. They had venison, the tender meat of the young bear +which, like the Indians, they loved, and they also allowed themselves +a slice apiece of precious bread. Water was never distant in the +northern wilderness, and Tayoga found a brook not a hundred yards +away, flowing down a ravine that cut across their own. They drank at +it in turn, and, then, the three lay down on the leaves in the recess, +grateful to the Supreme Power which provided so well for them, even in +the wild forest.</p> + +<p>They let the flames die, but a comfortable little bed of coals +remained, glowing within the shelter of the rocks. Young Lennox heaped +up the leaves until they formed a pillow under his head, and then +half dreaming, gazed into the heart of the fire, while his comrades +reclined near him, each silent but with his mind turned to that which +concerned him most.</p> + +<p>Robert's thoughts were of St. Luc, of the romantic figure he had +seen in the wilderness after the battle of Lake George, the knightly +chevalier, singing his gay little song of mingled sentiment and +defiance. An unconscious smile passed over his face. He and St. Luc +could never be enemies. In very truth, the French leader, though an +official enemy, had proved more than once the best of friends, ready +even to risk his life in the service of the American lad. What was +the reason? What could be the tie between them? There must be some +connection. What was the mystery of his origin? The events of the last +year indicated to him very clearly that there was such a mystery. +Adrian Van Zoon and Master Benjamin Hardy surely knew something about +it, and Willet too. Was it possible that a thread lay in the hand of +St. Luc also?</p> + +<p>He turned his eyes from the coals and gazed at the impassive face of +the hunter. Once the question trembled on his lips, but he was sure +the Great Bear would evade the answer, and the lad thought too much of +the man who had long stood to him in the place of father to cause him +annoyance. Beyond a doubt Willet had his interests at heart, and, when +the time came for him to speak, speak he would, but not before.</p> + +<p>His mind passed from the subject to dwell upon the task they had set +for themselves, a thought which did not exclude St. Luc, though the +chevalier now appeared in the guise of a bold and skillful foe, with +whom they must match their wisdom and courage. Doubtless he had formed +a new band, and, at the head of it, was already roaming the country +south of the St. Lawrence. Well, if that were the case perhaps they +would meet once more, and he would have given much to penetrate the +future.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go to sleep, Robert?" asked the hunter.</p> + +<p>"For the best of reasons. Because I can't," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's well to stay awake," said the Onondaga gravely.</p> + +<p>"Why, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Someone comes."</p> + +<p>"Here in the ravine?"</p> + +<p>"No, not in the ravine but on the cliff opposite us."</p> + +<p>Robert strained both eye and ear, but he could neither see nor hear +any human being. The wall on the far side of the ravine rose to a +considerable height, its edge making a black line against the sky, but +nothing there moved.</p> + +<p>"Your fancy is too much for you, Tayoga," he said. "Thinking that +someone might come, it creates a man out of air and mist."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, my fancy sleeps. Instead, my ear, which speaks only the +truth, tells me a man is walking along the crest of the cliff, and +coming on a course parallel with our ravine. My eye does not yet see +him, but soon it will confirm what my ear has already told me. This +deep cleft acts as a trumpet and brings the sound to me."</p> + +<p>"How far away, then, would you say is this being, who, I fear, is +mythical?"</p> + +<p>"He is not mythical. He is reality. He is yet about three hundred +yards distant. I might not have heard him, even with the aid of the +cleft, but tonight Areskoui has given uncommon power to my ear, +perhaps to aid us, and I know he is walking among thick bushes. I can +hear the branches swish as they fly back into place, after his body +has passed. Ah, a small stick popped as it broke under his foot!"</p> + +<p>"I heard nothing."</p> + +<p>"That is not my fault, O Dagaeoga. It is a heavy man, because I now +hear his footsteps, even when they do not break anything. He walks +with some uncertainty. Perhaps he fears lest he should make a false +step, and tumble into the ravine."</p> + +<p>"Since you can tell so much through hearing, at such a great distance, +perhaps you know what kind of a man the stranger is. A warrior, I +suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, he is not of our race. He would not walk so heavily. It is a +white man."</p> + +<p>"One of Rogers' rangers, then? Or maybe it is Rogers himself, or +perhaps Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>"It is none of those. They would advance with less noise. It is one +not so much used to the forest, but who knows the way, nevertheless, +and who doubtless has gone by this trail before."</p> + +<p>"Then it must be a Frenchman!"</p> + +<p>"I think so too."</p> + +<p>"It won't be St. Luc?"</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, though your tone showed that for a moment you hoped it +was. Sharp Sword is too skillful in the forest to walk with so heavy +a step. Nor can it be either of the leaders, De Courcelles or +Jumonville. They also are too much at home in the woods. The right +name of the man forms itself on my lips, but I will wait to be sure. +In another minute he will enter the bare space almost opposite us and +then we can see."</p> + +<p>The three waited in silence. Although Robert had expressed doubt he +felt none. He had a supreme belief in the Onondaga's uncanny powers, +and he was quite sure that a man was moving upon the bluff. A stranger +at such a time was to be watched, because white men came but little +into this dangerous wilderness.</p> + +<p>A dark figure appeared within the prescribed minute upon the crest and +stopped there, as if the man, whoever he might be, wished to rest and +draw fresh breath. The sky had lightened and he was outlined clearly +against it. Robert gazed intently and then he uttered a little cry.</p> + +<p>"I know him!" he said. "I can't be mistaken. It's Achille Garay, the +one whose name we found written on a fragment of a letter in Albany."</p> + +<p>"It's the man who tried to kill you, none other," said Tayoga gravely, +"and Areskoui whispered in my ear that it would be he."</p> + +<p>"What on earth can he be doing here in this lone wilderness at such a +time?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"Likely he's on his way to a French camp with information about our +forces," said Willet. "We frightened Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, when we +were in Albany, but I suppose that once a spy and traitor always a +spy and traitor. Since the immediate danger has moved from Albany, +Martinus and Garay may have begun work again."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better stop him," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, let him go on," said Willet. "He can't carry any information +about us that the French leaders won't find out for themselves. +The fact that he's traveling in the night indicates a French camp +somewhere near. We'll put him to use. Suppose we follow him and +discover what we can about our enemies."</p> + +<p>Robert looked at the cheerful bed of coals and sighed. They were +seeking the French and Indians, and Garay was almost sure to lead +straight to them. It was their duty to stalk him.</p> + +<p>"I wish he had passed in the daytime," he said ruefully.</p> + +<p>Tayoga laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"You have lived long enough in the wilderness, O Dagaeoga," he said, +"to know that you cannot choose when and where you will do your work."</p> + +<p>"That's true, Tayoga, but while my feet are unwilling to go my will +moves me on. So I'm entitled to more credit than you who take an +actual physical de light in trailing anybody at any time."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga smiled, but did not reply. Then the three took up their +arms, returned their packs to their backs and without noise left the +alcove. Robert cast one more reluctant glance at the bed of coals, but +it was a farewell, not any weakening of the will to go.</p> + +<p>Garay, after his brief rest on the summit, had passed the open space +and was out of sight in the bushes, but Robert knew that both Tayoga +and Willet could easily pick up his trail, and now he was all +eagerness to pursue him and see what the chase might disclose. A +little farther down, the cliff sloped back to such an extent that they +could climb it without trouble, and, when they surmounted the crest, +they entered the bushes at the point where Garay had disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Can you hear him now, Tayoga?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"My ears are as good as they were when I was in the ravine," replied +the Onondaga, "but they do not catch any sounds from the Frenchman. +It is, as we wish, because we do not care to come so near him that he +will hear."</p> + +<p>"Give him a half mile start," said Willet. "The ground is soft here, +and it won't be any sort of work to follow him. See, here are the +traces of his footsteps now, and there is where he has pushed his way +among the little boughs. Notice the two broken twigs, Robert."</p> + +<p>They followed at ease, the trail being a clear one, and the light of +moon and stars now ample. Robert began to feel the ardor of the chase. +He did not see Garay, but he believed that Tayoga at times heard him +with those wonderful ears of his. He rejoiced too that chance had +caused them to find the French spy in the wilderness. He remembered +that foul attempt upon his life in Albany, and, burning with +resentment, he was eager to thwart Garay in whatever he was now +attempting to do. Tayoga saw his face and said softly:</p> + +<p>"You hate this man Garay?"</p> + +<p>"I don't like him."</p> + +<p>"Do you wish me to go forward and kill him?"</p> + +<p>"No! No, Tayoga! Why do you ask me such a cold-blooded question?"</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed gently.</p> + +<p>"I was merely testing you, Dagaeoga," he said. "We of the Hodenosaunee +perhaps do not regard the taking of life as you do, but I would not +shoot Garay from ambush, although I might slay him in open battle. Ah, +there he is again on the crest of the ridge ahead!"</p> + +<p>Robert once more saw the thick, strong figure of the spy outlined +against the sky which was now luminous with a brilliant moon and +countless clear stars, and the feeling of resentment was very powerful +within him. Garay, without provocation, had attempted his life, and +he could not forget it, and, for a moment or two, he felt that if +the necessity should come in battle he was willing for a bullet from +Tayoga to settle him. Then he rebuked himself for harboring rancor.</p> + +<p>Garay paused, as if he needed another rest, and looked back, though it +was only a casual glance, perhaps to measure the distance he had come, +and the three, standing among the dense bushes, had no fear that he +saw them or even suspected that anyone was on his traces. After a +delay of a minute or so he passed over the crest and Robert, Willet +and Tayoga moved on in pursuit. The Frenchman evidently knew his path, +as the chase led for a long time over hills, down valleys and across +small streams. Toward morning he put his fingers to his lips and blew +a shrill whistle between them. Then the three drew swiftly near +until they could see him, standing under the boughs of a great oak, +obviously in an attitude of waiting.</p> + +<p>"It is a signal to someone," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"So it is," said Willet, "and it means that he and we have come to +the end of our journey. I take it that we have arrived almost at the +French and Indian camp, and that he whistles because he fears lest he +should be shot by a sentinel through mistake. The reply should come +soon."</p> + +<p>As the hunter spoke they heard a whistle, a faint, clear note far +ahead, and then Garay without hesitation resumed his journey. The +three followed, but when they reached the crest of the next ridge they +saw a light shining through the forest, a light that grew and finally +divided into many lights, disclosing to them with certainty the +presence of a camp. The figure of Garay appeared for a little while +outlined against a fire, another figure came forward to meet him, and +the two disappeared together.</p> + +<p>From the direction of the fires came sounds subdued by the distance, +and the aroma of food.</p> + +<p>"It is a large camp," said Tayoga. "I have counted twelve fires which +proves it, and the white men and the red men in it do not go hungry. +They have deer, bear, fish and birds also. The pleasant odors of them +all come to my nostrils, and make me hungry."</p> + +<p>"That's too much for me," said Robert. "I can detect the blended +savor, but I know not of what it consists. Now we go on, I suppose, +and find out what this camp holds."</p> + +<p>"We wouldn't dream of turning back," said the hunter. "Did you notice +anything familiar, Robert, about the figure that came forward to meet +Garay?"</p> + +<p>"Now that you speak of it, I did, but I can't recall the identity of +the man."</p> + +<p>"Think again!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, now I have him! It was the French officer, Colonel Auguste de +Courcelles, who gave us so much trouble in Canada and elsewhere."</p> + +<p>"That's the man," said Willet. "I knew him at once. Now, wherever De +Courcelles is mischief is likely to be afoot, but he's not the only +Frenchman here. We'll spy out this camp to the full. There's time yet +before the sunrise comes."</p> + +<p>Now the three used all the skill in stalking with which they were +endowed so plentifully, creeping forward without noise through the +bushes, making so little stir among them that if a wary warrior had +been looking he would have taken the slight movement of twig or leaf +for the influence of a wandering breeze. Gradually the whole camp came +into view, and Tayoga's prediction that it would be a large one proved +true.</p> + +<p>Robert lay on a little knoll among small bushes growing thick, where +the keenest eye could not see him, but where his own vision swept +the whole wide shallow dip, in which the French and Indian force was +encamped. Twelve fires, all good and large, burned gayly, throwing out +ruddy flames from great beds of glowing coals, while the aroma of food +was now much stronger and very appetizing.</p> + +<p>The force numbered at least three hundred men, of whom about one third +were Frenchmen or Canadians, all in uniform. Robert recognized De +Courcelles and near him Jumonville, his invariable comrade, and a +little farther on a handsome and gallant young face.</p> + +<p>"It's De Galissonnière of the Battalion Languedoc, whom we met in +Québec," he whispered to Tayoga. "Now I wonder what he's doing here."</p> + +<p>"He's come with the others on a projected foray," Tayoga whispered +back. "But look beyond him, Dagaeoga, and you will see one more to be +dreaded than De Courcelles or Jumonville."</p> + +<p>Robert's gaze followed that of the young Onondaga and was intercepted +by the huge figure of Tandakora, the Ojibway, who stood erect by one +of the fires, bare save for a breech cloth and moccasins, his body +painted in the most hideous designs, of which war paint was possible, +his brow lowering.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora is not happy," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"No," said Robert. "He is thinking of the battle at Lake George that +he did not win, and of all the scalps he did not take. He is thinking +of his lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French."</p> + +<p>"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the spy, +Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh +and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their +victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big +campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to +breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles +consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, +Garay. But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!"</p> + +<p>Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant +figure of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall +man, young, lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner +at once graceful and proud, a man to whom the others turned with +deference, and perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville +with a little fear. He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and +a small gold hilted sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, +dress impresses, and Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his +finest attire, not from vanity, but because he wished to create an +effect. It would be like him, when his fortunes were lowest, to assume +his highest manner before both friend and foe.</p> + +<p>"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of +victories and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is +the finest spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader +and soldier, too. Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop +asking questions of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself +bows low before him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora +stand aside. I wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn +something worth all our risk in coming here."</p> + +<p>But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three, +eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes +and watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and +Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast +for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. +St. Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French +officers and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he +leaned against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, +powerfully built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he +ate mechanically.</p> + +<p>The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The +three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time +for them to be going.</p> + +<p>"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the +daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, +will wander about the camp."</p> + +<p>"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too +great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good +food will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote."</p> + +<p>They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense breath +of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look upon +the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the reach +of those who made it.</p> + +<p>"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my bones +are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my hunger has +grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to speak, +with red hot pincers."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical +tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the +pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance +to show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such +little things as food and drink."</p> + +<p>"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted +young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if +I could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison."</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm +beginning to feel as you do, Robert."</p> + +<p>Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they pursued +a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt. Even then +they hunted about among the rocks until they found a secluded place, +no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to grumble, +although he did not mean it.</p> + +<p>"We were better off last night when we had our little fire in the +hollow," he said.</p> + +<p>"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, +"but we didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least +increased our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have +been awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has +passed, ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should +practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is +pretty well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on +the leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the +bare ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done +so already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. +Whoever does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to +decide."</p> + +<p>But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so +nearly at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He +noticed with pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to +himself, as he had said so often before, that they were two good and +brave lads.</p> + +<p>Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon, +and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees.</p> + +<p>His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had +acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult +physical art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So +thorough was his mastery over himself that the small wild game began +to believe by and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his +head and the hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw +everything and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the +more acuteness.</p> + +<p>The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding +the world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to +Willet, whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and +aspects. They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew +that the hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must +have much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods, +seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them.</p> + +<p>The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did +not sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed +thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins. +Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more +intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come +to him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it +was the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired +in battle. The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had +started up a deer or a bear.</p> + +<p>But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to +the proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart +to miss a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that +they should be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have +rejoiced if there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert +and Tayoga whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And +how he would have spread his nets to catch such precious game!</p> + +<p>He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the +hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was +turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were +obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game +of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer +and bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of +their guns.</p> + +<p>But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and +his lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general +expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no +anxiety marred his sense of the humorous.</p> + +<p>Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded +bear and still he was motionless.</p> + +<p>Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They +believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks and +ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in safe +hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure one +day would be sufficient for the task. That portion of the wilderness +was full of game, and, since the coming of the war, deer and bear were +increasing rapidly. Willet often noted how quickly game returned to +regions abandoned by man, as if the wild animals promptly told one +another the danger had passed.</p> + +<p>Joyous shouts came now and then and he knew that they marked the +taking of game, but about the middle of the afternoon the hunt drifted +entirely away. A little later Tayoga awoke and sat up. Then Willet +moved slightly and spoke.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora's hunters have been all about us while you slept," he said, +"but I knew they wouldn't find us."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga and I were safe in the care of the Great Bear," said the +Onondaga confidently. "Tandakora will rage if we tell him some day +that we were here, to be taken if he had only seen us. Now Lennox +awakes also! O Dagaeoga, you have slept and missed all the great +jest."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Tandakora built his fire just beyond the big bush that grows ten feet +away, and sat there two hours without suspecting our presence here."</p> + +<p>"Now I know you are romancing, Tayoga, because I can see the twinkle +in your eyes. But I suspect that what you say bears some remote +relation to the truth."</p> + +<p>"The hostile hunters passed while you slept, and while I slept also, +but the Great Bear was all eyes and ears and he did not think it +needful to awaken us."</p> + +<p>"What are we going to do now, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Eat more venison. We must never fail to keep the body strong."</p> + +<p>"And then?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure. I thought once that we'd better go south to our army at +Lake George with news of this big band, but it's a long distance down +there, and it may be wiser to stay here and watch St. Luc. What do you +say, Robert?"</p> + +<p>"Stay here."</p> + +<p>"And you, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Watch St. Luc."</p> + +<p>"I was inclining to that view myself, and it's settled now. But we +mustn't move from this place until dark; it would be too dangerous in +the day."</p> + +<p>The lads nodded and the three settled into another long period of +waiting.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_II"></a><h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<br> + +<h3>ON THE RIDGES</h3> + +<p>Late in the afternoon Willet went to sleep and Robert and Tayoga +watched, although, as the hunter had done, they depended more upon +ear than eye. They too heard now and then the faint report of distant +shots from the hunt, and Robert's heart beat very fast, but, if the +young Onondaga felt emotion, he did not show it. At twilight, they +ate a frugal supper, and when the night had fully come they rose and +walked about a little to make their stiffened muscles elastic again.</p> + +<p>"The hunters have all gone back to the camp now," said Tayoga, "since +it is not easy to pursue the game by dusk, and we need not keep so +close, like a bear in its den."</p> + +<p>"And the danger of our being seen is reduced to almost nothing," said +Robert.</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga, but we will have another fight to make. We must +strive to keep ourselves from freezing. It turns very cold on the +mountains! The wind is now blowing from the north, and do you not feel +a keener edge to it?"</p> + +<p>"I do," replied Robert, sensitive of body as well as mind, and he +shivered as he spoke. "It's a most unfortunate change for us. But now +that I think of it we've got to expect it up among the high mountains +toward Canada. Shall we light another fire?"</p> + +<p>"We'll talk of that later with the Great Bear when he comes out of his +sleep. But it fast grows colder and colder, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>Weather was an enormous factor in the lives of the borderers. +Wilderness storms and bitter cold often defeated their best plans, and +shelterless men, they were in a continual struggle against them. And +here in the far north, among the high peaks and ridges, there was much +to be feared, even with official winter yet several weeks away.</p> + +<p>Robert began to rub his cold hands, and, unfolding his blanket, he +wrapped it about his body, drawing it well up over his neck and ears. +Tayoga imitated him and Willet, who was soon awakened by the cold +blast, protected himself in a similar manner.</p> + +<p>"What does the Great Bear think?" asked the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>The hunter, with his face to the wind, meditated a few moments before +replying.</p> + +<p>"I was testing that current of air on my face and eyes," he said, +"and, speaking the truth, Tayoga, I don't like it. The wind seemed to +grow colder as I waited to answer you. Listen to the leaves falling +before it! Their rustle tells of a bitter night."</p> + +<p>"And while we freeze in it," said Robert, whose imagination was +already in full play, "the French and Indians build as many and big +fires as they please, and cook before them the juicy game they killed +today."</p> + +<p>The hunter was again very thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if we would have to kindle a fire," he said, "and +tomorrow we shall have to hunt bear or deer for ourselves, because we +have food enough left for only one more meal."</p> + +<p>"The face of Areskoui is turned from us," said Tayoga. "We have done +something to anger him, or we have failed to do what he wished, and +now he sends upon us a hard trial to test us and purify us! A great +storm with fierce cold comes!"</p> + +<p>The wind rose suddenly, and it began to make a sinister hissing among +all the passes and gorges. Robert felt something damp upon his face, +and he brushed away a melting flake of snow. But another and another +took its place and the air was soon filled with white. And the flakes +were most aggressive. Driven by the storm they whipped the cheeks +and eyes of the three, and sought to insert themselves, often with +success, under their collars, even under the edges of the protecting +blankets, and down their backs. Robert, despite himself, shivered +violently and even the hunter was forced to walk vigorously back and +forth in the effort to keep warm. It was evident that the Onondaga had +told the truth, and that the face of Areskoui was in very fact turned +from them.</p> + +<p>Robert awaited the word, looking now and then at Willet, but the +hunter hung on for a long time. The leaves fell in showers before the +storm, making a faint rustling like the last sigh of the departing, +and the snow, driven with so much force, stung his face like hail when +it struck. He was anxious for a fire, and its vital heat, but he was +too proud to speak. He would endure without complaint as much as his +comrades, and he knew that Tayoga, like himself, would wait for the +older man to speak.</p> + +<p>But he could not keep, meanwhile, from thinking of the French and +Indians beside their vast heaps of glowing coals, fed and warmed to +their hearts' content, while the three lay in the dark and bitter cold +of the wilderness. An hour dragged by, then two, then three, but the +storm showed no sign of abating. The sinister screaming of the wind +did not cease and the snow accumulated upon their bodies. At last +Willet said:</p> + +<p>"We must do it."</p> + +<p>"We have no other choice," said Tayoga. "We have waited as long as we +could to see if Areskoui would turn a favoring face upon us, but his +anger holds. It will not avail, if in our endeavor to escape the +tomahawk of Tandakora, we freeze to death."</p> + +<p>The fire decided upon, they took all risks and went about the task +with eagerness. Ordinary men could not have lighted it under such +circumstances, but the three had uncommon skill upon which to draw. +They took the bark from dead wood, and shaved off many splinters, +building up a little heap in the lee of a cliff, which they sheltered +on the windward side with their bodies. Then Willet, working a long +time with his flint and steel, set to it the sparks that grew into a +blaze.</p> + +<p>Robert did not stop with the fire. Noticing the vast amount of dead +wood lying about, as was often the case in the wilderness, he dragged +up many boughs and began to build a wall on the exposed side of the +flames. Willet and Tayoga approving of the idea soon helped him, and +three pairs of willing hands quickly raised the barrier of trunks and +brush to a height of at least a yard.</p> + +<p>"A happy idea of yours, Robert," said the hunter. "Now we achieve two +ends at once. Our wall hides the glow of the fire and at the same time +protects us in large measure from the snow and wind."</p> + +<p>"I have bright thoughts now and then," said Robert, whose spirits had +returned in full tide. "You needn't believe you and Tayoga have all +of 'em. I don't believe either of you would have ever thought of this +fine wooden wall. In truth, Dave, I don't know what would become of +you and Tayoga if you didn't have me along with you most all the +time! How good the fire feels! The warmth touches my fingers and goes +stealing up my arms and into my body! It reaches my face too and +goes stealing down to meet the fine heat that makes a channel of my +fingers! A glorious fire, Tayoga! I tell you, a glorious fire, Dave! +The finest fire that's burning anywhere in the world!"</p> + +<p>"The quality of a fire depends on the service it gives," said the +hunter.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga has many words when he is happy," said the Onondaga. "His +tongue runs on like the pleasant murmur of a brook, but he does it +because Manitou made him that way. The world must have talkers as +well as doers, and it can be said for Lennox that he acts as well as +talks."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'm glad you put in the saving clause," laughed Robert. "But +it's a mighty good thing we built our wooden wall. That wind would cut +to the bone if it could get at you."</p> + +<p>"The wind at least will keep the warriors away," said Tayoga. "They +will all stay close in the camp on such a night."</p> + +<p>"And no blame to them," murmured the hunter. "If we weren't in the +Indian country I'd build our own fire five times as big. Now, Robert, +suppose you go to sleep."</p> + +<p>"I can't, Dave. You know I slept all the morning, but I'm not +suffering from dullness. I'm imagining things. I'm imagining how much +worse off we'd be if we didn't have flint and steel. I can always find +pleasure in making such contrasts."</p> + +<p>But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer +and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a +glowing mass of coals. He was wondering what they would do on the +morrow, when their food was exhausted. They had not only the storm to +fight, but possible starvation in the days to come. He foresaw that +instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a +struggle merely to live.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga," he said. "Who would have +predicted such a storm so early in the season?"</p> + +<p>"We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and +that will account for the violent change. I think the wind and snow +will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall +higher and save ample fuel for the fire."</p> + +<p>The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon +it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of +brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood +began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, +as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped +his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the +farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber.</p> + +<p>One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as +he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a +rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and +spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the +pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the +darkness, and he retreated two or three steps.</p> + +<p>It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason +told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through +the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on +his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was +so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger +but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear +had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some +warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature +the stranger and intruder might be.</p> + +<p>Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to +him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would +furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large +blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for +a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of +danger or attack on the part of either.</p> + +<p>"If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad.</p> + +<p>The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear."</p> + +<p>Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature.</p> + +<p>"Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen +sapling."</p> + +<p>A third growl, now ingratiating.</p> + +<p>"It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and +I wouldn't think of fighting."</p> + +<p>A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and +understanding.</p> + +<p>"We're in agreement, I see. Good night, I wish you well."</p> + +<p>A fifth growl, which had the tone of benevolent farewell, and the +bear, dropping on all fours, disappeared in the brush. Robert, whose +fancy had been alive and leaping, returned to the camp rather pleased +with himself, despite the fact that about three hundred pounds of +excellent food had walked away undisturbed.</p> + +<p>"I ran upon a big bear," he said to the hunter and the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"I heard no shot," said Willet.</p> + +<p>"No, I didn't fire. Neither my impulse nor my will told me to do so. +The bear looked at me in such brotherly fashion that I could never +have sent a bullet into him. I'd rather go hungry."</p> + +<p>Neither Willet nor Tayoga had any rebuke for him.</p> + +<p>"Doubtless the soul of a good warrior had gone into the bear and +looked out at you," said the Onondaga with perfect sincerity. "It is +sometimes so. It is well that you did not fire upon him or the face of +Areskoui would have remained turned from us too long."</p> + +<p>"That's just the way I felt about it," said Robert, who had great +tolerance for Iroquois beliefs. "His eyes seemed fully human to me, +and, although I had my pistol in my belt and my hand when I first saw +him flew to its butt, I made no attempt to draw it. I have no regrets +because I let him go."</p> + +<p>"Nor have we," said Willet. "Now I think we can afford to rest again. +We can build our wall six feet high if we want to and have wood enough +left over to feed a fire for several days."</p> + +<p>The two lads, the white and the red, crouched once more in the lee of +the cliff, while the hunter put two fresh sticks on the coals. But +little of the snow reached them where they lay, wrapped well in their +blankets, and all care disappeared from Robert's mind. Inured to the +wilderness he ignored what would have been discomfort to others. The +trails they had left in the snow when they hunted wood would soon be +covered up by the continued fall, and for the night, at least, there +would be no danger from the warriors. He felt an immense comfort and +security, and by-and-by fell asleep again. Tayoga soon followed him to +slumberland, and Willet once more watched alone.</p> + +<p>Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did +not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he +would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there +would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and +then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow +had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and +all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point +where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them +the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen +appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to +descend into the lower country and hunt game.</p> + +<p>"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said +Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that +the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians +also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be +delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back."</p> + +<p>"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in +his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only +on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and +perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"We must send out a scout first," said Willet.</p> + +<p>It was agreed that Tayoga should go, and in about two hours he +returned with grave news. The warriors were out again, hunting in the +snow, and although unconscious of it themselves they formed an almost +complete ring about the three, a ring which they must undertake to +break through now in full daylight, and with the snow ready to leave a +broad trail of all who passed.</p> + +<p>"They would be sure to see our path," said Tayoga. "Even the short +trail I made when I went forth exposes us to danger, and we must trust +to luck that they will not see it. There is nothing for us to do, but +to remain hidden here, until the next night comes. It is quite certain +that the face of Areskoui is still turned from us. What have we done +that is displeasing to the Sun God?"</p> + +<p>"I can't recall anything," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is not what we have done but what we have failed to do, +though whatever it is Areskoui has willed that we lie close another +day."</p> + +<p>"And starve," said Robert ruefully.</p> + +<p>"And starve," repeated the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>The three crouched once more under the lee of the cliff, but toward +noon they built their wooden wall another foot higher, driven to the +work by the threatening aspect of the sky, which turned to a somber +brown. The wind sprang up again, and it had an edge of damp.</p> + +<p>"Soon it will rain," said Tayoga, "and it will be a bitter cold rain. +Much of the snow will melt and then freeze again, coating the earth +with ice. It will make it more difficult for us to travel and the +hunting that we need so much must be delayed. Then we'll grow hungrier +and hungrier."</p> + +<p>"Stop it, Tayoga," exclaimed Robert. "I believe you're torturing me on +purpose. I'm hungry now."</p> + +<p>"But that is nothing to what Dagaeoga will be tonight, after he has +gone many hours without food. Then he will think of the juicy venison, +and of the tender steak of the young bear, and of the fine fish from +the mountain streams, and he will remember how he has enjoyed them in +the past, but it will be only a memory. The fish that he craves will +be swimming in the clear waters, and the deer and the bear will be far +away, safe from his bullet."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know you had so much malice in your composition, Tayoga, but +there's one consolation; if I suffer you suffer also."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed.</p> + +<p>"It will give Dagaeoga a chance to test himself," he said. "We know +already that he is brave in battle and skillful on the trail, and now +we will see how he can sit for days and nights without anything to +eat, and not complain. He will be a hero, he will draw in his belt +notch by notch, and never say a word."</p> + +<p>"That will do, Tayoga," interrupted the hunter. "While you play upon +Robert's nerves you play upon mine also, and they tell me you've said +enough. Actually I'm beginning to feel famished."</p> + +<p>Tayoga laughed once more.</p> + +<p>"While I jest with you I jest also with myself," he said. "Now we'll +sleep, since there is nothing else to do."</p> + +<p>He drew his blanket up to his eyes, leaned against the stony wall and +slept. Robert could not imitate him. As the long afternoon, one of the +longest he had ever known, trailed its slow length away, he studied +the forest in front of them, where the cold and mournful rain was +still falling, a rain that had at least one advantage, as it had long +since obliterated all traces of a trail left by Tayoga on his scouting +expedition, although search as he would he could find no other profit +in it.</p> + +<p>Night came, the rain ceased, and, as Tayoga had predicted, the intense +cold that arrived with the dark, froze it quickly, covering the earth +with a hard and polished glaze, smoother and more treacherous than +glass. It was impossible for the present to undertake flight over +such a surface, with a foe naturally vigilant at hand, and they made +themselves as comfortable as they could, while they awaited another +day. Now Robert began to draw in his belt, while a hunger that was +almost too fierce to be endured assailed him. His was a strong body, +demanding much nourishment, and it cried out to him for relief. He +tried to forget in sleep that he was famished, but he only dozed a +while to awaken to a hunger more poignant than ever.</p> + +<p>Yet he said never a word, but, as the night with its illimitable hours +passed, he grew defiant of difficulties and dangers, all of which +became but little things in presence of his hunger. It was his impulse +to storm the Indian camp itself and seize what he wanted of the +supplies there, but his reason told him the thought was folly. Then he +tried to forget about the steaks of bear and deer, and the delicate +little fish from the mountain stream that Tayoga had mentioned, but +they would return before his eyes with so much vividness that he +almost believed he saw them in reality.</p> + +<p>Dawn came again, and they had now been twenty-four hours without food. +The pangs of hunger were assailing all three fiercely, but they did +not yet dare go forth, as the morning was dark and gloomy, with a +resumption of the fierce, driving rain, mingled with hail, which +rattled now and then like bullets on their wooden wall.</p> + +<p>Robert shivered in his blanket, not so much from actual cold as from +the sinister aspect of the world, and his sensitive imagination, +which always pictured both good and bad in vivid colors, foresaw the +enormous difficulties that would confront them. Hunger tore at him, +as with the talons of a dragon, and he felt himself growing weak, +although his constitution was so strong that the time for a decline in +vitality had not yet really come. He was all for going forth in the +storm and seeking game in the slush and cold, ignoring the French and +Indian danger. But he knew the hunter and the Onondaga would not hear +to it, and so he waited in silence, hot anger swelling in his heart +against the foes who kept him there. Unable to do anything else, he +finally closed his eyes that he might shut from his view the gray and +chilly world that was so hostile.</p> + +<p>"Is Areskoui turning his face toward us, Tayoga?" he asked after a +long wait.</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga. Our unknown sin is not yet expiated. The day grows +blacker, colder and wetter."</p> + +<p>"And I grow hungrier and hungrier. If we kill deer or bear we must +kill three of each at the same time, because I intend to eat one all +by myself, and I demand that he be large and fat, too. I suppose we'll +go out of this place some time or other."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better make up our minds to do it before it's too late. I +feel my nerves and tissues decaying already."</p> + +<p>"It's only your fancy, Dagaeoga. You can exist a week without food."</p> + +<p>"A week, Tayoga! I don't want to exist a week without food! I +absolutely refuse to do so!"</p> + +<p>"The choice is not yours, now, O Dagaeoga. The greatest gift you can +have is patience. The warrior, Daatgadose, of the clan of the Bear, of +the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, even +as I am, hemmed in by enemies in the forest, and with his powder and +bullets gone, lay in hiding ten days without food once passing his +lips, and took no lasting hurt from it. You, O Dagaeoga, will +surely do as well, and I can give you many other examples for your +emulation."</p> + +<p>"Stop, Tayoga. Sometimes I'm sorry you speak such precise English. If +you didn't you couldn't have so much sport with a bad situation."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed deeply and with unction. He knew that Robert was +not complaining, that he merely talked to fill in the time, and he +went on with stories of illustrious warriors and chiefs among his +people who had literally defied hunger and thirst and who had lived +incredible periods without either food or water. Willet listened in +silence, but with approval. He knew that any kind of talk would cheer +them and strengthen them for the coming test which was bound to be +severe.</p> + +<p>Feeling that no warriors would be within sight at such a time they +built their fire anew and hovered over the flame and the coals, +drawing a sort of sustenance from the warmth. But when the day was +nearly gone and there was no change in the sodden skies Robert +detected in himself signs of weakness that he knew were not the +product of fancy. Every inch of his healthy young body cried out for +food, and, not receiving it, began to rebel and lose vigor.</p> + +<p>Again he was all for going forth and risking everything, and he +noticed with pleasure that the hunter began to shift about and to peer +into the forest as if some plan for action was turning in his mind. +But he said nothing, resolved to leave it all to Tayoga and Willet, +and by-and-by, in the dark, to which his eyes had grown accustomed, he +saw the two exchanging glances. He was able to read these looks. +The hunter said: "We must try it. The time has come." The Onondaga +replied: "Yes, it is not wise to wait longer, lest we grow too feeble +for a great effort." The hunter rejoined: "Then it is agreed," and the +Onondaga said: "If our comrade thinks so too." Both turned their eyes +to young Lennox who said aloud: "It's what I've been waiting for a +long time. The sooner we leave the better pleased I'll be."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Willet, "in an hour we'll start south, going down the +trail between the high cliffs, and we'll trust that either we've +expiated our sin, whatever it was, or that Areskoui has forgiven us. +It will be terrible traveling, but we can't wait any longer."</p> + +<p>They wrapped their blankets about their bodies as additional covering, +and, at the time appointed, left their rude shelter. Yet when they +were away from its protection it did not seem so rude. When their +moccasins sank in the slush and the snow and rain beat upon their +faces, it was remembered as the finest little shelter in the world. +The bodies of all three regretted it, but their wills and dire +necessity sent them on.</p> + +<p>The hunter led, young Lennox followed and Tayoga came last, their feet +making a slight sighing sound as they sank in the half-melted snow and +ice now several inches deep. Robert wore fine high moccasins of tanned +mooseskin, much stronger and better than ordinary deerskin, but before +long he felt the water entering them and chilling him to the bone. +Nevertheless, keeping his resolution in mind, and, knowing that the +others were in the same plight, he made no complaint but trudged +steadily on, three or four feet behind Willet, who chose the way that +now led sharply downward. Once more he realized what an enormous +factor changes in temperature were in the lives of borderers and how +they could defeat supreme forethought and the greatest skill. Winter +with its snow and sleet was now the silent but none the less potent +ally of the French and Indians in preventing their escape.</p> + +<p>They toiled on two or three miles, not one of the three speaking. The +sleet and hail thickened. In spite of the blanket and the deerskin +tunic it made its way along his neck and then down his shoulders and +chest, the chill that went downward meeting the chill that came upward +from his feet, now almost frozen. He could not recall ever before +having been so miserable of both mind and body. He did not know it +just then, but the lack of nourishment made him peculiarly susceptible +to mental and physical depression. The fires of youth were not burning +in his veins, and his vitality had been reduced at least one half.</p> + +<p>Now, that terrible hunger, although he had striven to fight it, +assailed him once more, and his will weakened slowly. What were those +tales Tayoga had been telling about men going a week or ten days +without food? They were clearly incredible. He had been less than two +days without it, and his tortures were those of a man at the stake.</p> + +<p>Willet's eyes, from natural keenness and long training, were able to +pierce the dusk and he showed the way, steep and slippery though it +was, with infallible certainty. They were on a lower slope, where by +some freak of the weather there was snow instead of slush, when he +bent down and examined the path with critical and anxious eyes. Robert +and Tayoga waited in silence, until the hunter straightened up again. +Then he said:</p> + +<p>"A war party has gone down the pass ahead of us. There were about +twenty men in it, and it's not more than two hours beyond us. Whether +it's there to cut us off, or has moved by mere chance, I don't know, +but the effect is just the same. If we keep on we'll run into it."</p> + +<p>"Suppose we try the ascent and get out over the ridges," said Robert.</p> + +<p>Willet looked up at the steep and lofty slopes on either side.</p> + +<p>"It's tremendously bad footing," he replied, "and will take heavy toll +of our strength, but I see no other way. It would be foolish for us to +go on and walk straight into the hands of our enemies. What say you, +Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"There is but a single choice and that a desperate one. We must try +the summits."</p> + +<p>They delayed no longer, and, Willet still leading, began the frightful +climb, choosing the westward cliff which towered above them a +full four hundred feet, and, like the one that faced it, almost +precipitous. Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using +them as supports they toiled slowly upward. Now and then, in spite of +every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it +fell into the pass. Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell +Robert shivered. His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the +pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, +outlined against the slope.</p> + +<p>"Can't you go a little faster?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead.</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter. "We mustn't risk a fall. +But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert. It's the fear of being +shot in the back as you climb. I feel it too, but it's only fancy with +both of us."</p> + +<p>Robert said no more, but, calling upon his will, bent his mind to +their task. Above him was the dusky sky and the summit seemed to tower +a mile away, but he knew that it was only sixty or seventy yards now, +and he took his luxurious imagination severely in hand. At such a time +he must deal only in realities and he subjected all that he saw to +mathematical calculation. Sixty or seventy yards must be sixty or +seventy yards only and not a mile.</p> + +<p>After a time that seemed interminable Willet's figure disappeared over +the cliff, and, with a gasp, Robert followed, Tayoga coming swiftly +after. The three were so tired, their vitality was so reduced that +they lay down in the snow, and drew long, painful breaths. When some +measure of strength was restored they stood up and surveyed the place +where they stood, a bleak summit over which the wind blew sharply. +Nothing grew there but low bushes, and they felt that, while they may +have escaped the war band, their own physical case was worse instead +of better. Both cold and wind were more severe and a bitter hail beat +upon them. It was obvious that Areskoui did not yet forgive, although +it must surely be a sin of ignorance, of omission and not of +commission, with the equal certainty that a sin of such type could not +be unforgivable for all time.</p> + +<p>"We seem to be on a ridge that runs for a great distance," said +Tayoga. "Suppose we continue along the comb of it. At least we cannot +make ourselves any worse off than we are now."</p> + +<p>They toiled on, now and then falling on the slippery trail, their +vitality sinking lower and lower. Occasionally they had glimpses of a +vast desolate region under a somber sky, peaks and ridges and slopes +over which clouds hovered, the whole seeming to resent the entry of +man and to offer to him every kind of resistance.</p> + +<p>Robert was now wet through and through. No part of his body had +escaped and he knew that his vitality was at such a low ebb that at +least seventy-five per cent, of it was gone. He wanted to stop, his +cold and aching limbs cried out for rest, and he craved heat at the +cost of every risk, but his will was still firm, and he would not be +the first to speak. It was Willet who suggested when they came to a +slight dip that they make an effort to build a fire.</p> + +<p>"The human body, no matter how strong it may be naturally, and how +much it may be toughened by experience, will stand only so much," he +said.</p> + +<p>They were constantly building fires in the wilderness, but the fire +they built that morning was the hardest of them all to start. They +selected, as usual, the lee of a rocky uplift, and, then by the +patient use of flint and steel, and, after many failures, they +kindled a blaze that would last. But in their reduced state the labor +exhausted them, and it was some time before they drew any life from +the warmth. When the circulation had been restored somewhat they piled +on more wood, taking the chance of being seen. They even went so far +as to build a second fire, that they might sit between the two and dry +themselves more rapidly. Then they waited in silence the coming of the +dawn.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_III"></a><h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE BRAVE DEFENSE</h3> + +<p>Robert hoped for a fair morning. Surely Areskoui would relent now! But +the sun that crept languidly up the horizon was invisible to them, +hidden by a dark curtain of clouds that might shed, at any moment, +torrents of rain or hail or snow. The whole earth swam in chilly +damp. Banks of cold fog filled the valleys and gorges, and shreds and +patches of it floated along the peaks and ridges. The double fires had +dried his clothing and had sent warmth into his veins, increasing his +vitality somewhat, but it was far below normal nevertheless. He had an +immense aversion to further movement. He wanted to stay there between +the coals, awaiting passively whatever fate might have for him. +Somehow, his will to make an effort and live seemed to have gone.</p> + +<p>While weakness grew upon him and he drooped by the fire, he did not +feel hunger, but it was only a passing phase. Presently the desire for +food that had gnawed at him with sharp teeth came back, and with it +his wish to do, like one stirred into action by pain. Hunger itself +was a stimulus and his sinking vitality was arrested in its decline. +He looked around eagerly at the sodden scene, but it certainly held +out little promise of game. Deer and bear would avoid those steeps, +and range in the valleys. But the will to action, stimulated back to +life, remained. However comfortable it was between the fires they must +not stay there to perish.</p> + +<p>"Why don't we go on?" he said to Willet.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear you ask that question," replied the hunter.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Because it shows that you haven't given up. If you've got the courage +to leave such a warm and dry place you've got the courage also to make +another fight for life. And you were the first to speak, too, Robert."</p> + +<p>"We must go on," said Tayoga. "But it is best to throw slush over the +fire and hide our traces."</p> + +<p>The task finished they took up their vague journey, going they knew +not where, but knowing that they must go somewhere, their uncertain +way still leading along the crests of narrow ridges, across shallow +dips and through drooping forests, where the wind moaned miserably. At +intervals, it rained or snowed or hailed and once more they were wet +through and through. The recrudescence of Robert's strength was a mere +flare-up. His vitality ebbed again, and not even the fierce gnawing +hunger that refused to depart could stimulate it. By-and-by he began +to stumble, but Tayoga and Willet, who noticed it, said nothing—they +staggered at times themselves. They toiled on for hours in silence, +but, late in the afternoon, Robert turned suddenly to the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember, Tayoga," he said, "something you said to me a couple +of days since, or was it a week, or maybe a month ago? I seem to +remember time very uncertainly, but you were talking about repasts, +banquets, Lucullan banquets, more gorgeous banquets than old Nero had, +and they say he was king of epicures. I think you spoke of tender +venison, and juicy bear steaks, and perhaps of a delicate broiled +trout from one of these clear mountain streams. Am I not right, +Tayoga? Didn't you mention viands? And perhaps you may still be +thinking of them?"</p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i>, Dagaeoga. I am thinking of them all the time. I confess to +you that I am so hungry I could gnaw the inside of the fresh bark upon +a tree, and if I were turned loose upon a deer, slain and cooked, I +could eat him all from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail."</p> + +<p>"Stop, you boys," said Willet sternly. "You only aggravate your +sufferings. Isn't that a valley to the right, Tayoga, and don't you +catch the gleam of a little lake among its trees?"</p> + +<p>"It is a valley, Great Bear, and there <i>is</i> a small lake in the +center. We will go there. Perhaps we can catch fish."</p> + +<p>Hope sprang up in Robert's heart. Fish? Why, of course there were fish +in all the mountain lakes! and they never failed to carry hooks and +lines in their packs. Bait could be found easily under the rocks. +He did not conceal his eagerness to descend into the valley and the +others were not less forward than he.</p> + +<p>The valley was about half a square mile in area, of which the lake in +the center occupied one-fourth, the rest being in dense forest. +The three soon had their lines in water, and they waited full of +anticipation, but they waited in vain until long after night had come. +Not one of the three received a bite. The lines floated idly.</p> + +<p>"Every lake in the mountains except one is full of fish—except one!" +exclaimed Robert bitterly, "and this is the one!"</p> + +<p>"No, it is not that," said Tayoga gravely. "It means that the face +of Areskoui is still turned from us, that the good Sun God does not +relent for our unknown sin. We must have offended him deeply that he +should remain angry with us so long. This lake is swarming with fish, +like the others of the mountains, but he has willed that not one +should hang upon our hooks. Why waste time?"</p> + +<p>He drew his line from the water, wound it up carefully and replaced +it in his pack. The others, after a fruitless wait, imitated him, +convinced that he was right. Then, after infinite pains, as before, +they built two fires again, and slept between them. But the next +morning all three were weak. Their vitality had declined fast in the +night, and the situation became critical in the extreme.</p> + +<p>"We must find food or we die," said Willet. "We might linger a long +time, but soon we won't have the strength to hunt, and then it would +only be a question of when the wolves took us."</p> + +<p>"I can hear them howling now on the slopes," said Tayoga. "They know +we are here, and that our strength is declining. They will not face +our rifles, but will wait until we are too weak to use them."</p> + +<p>"What is your plan, Dave?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"There must be game on the slopes. What say you, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"If Areskoui has willed for game to be there it will be there. He +will even send it to us. And perhaps he has decided that he has now +punished us enough."</p> + +<p>"It certainly won't hurt for us to try, and perhaps we'd better +separate. Robert, you go west; Tayoga, you take the eastern slopes, +and I'll hunt toward the north. By night we'll all be back at this +spot, full-handed or empty-handed, as it may be, but full-handed, I +hope."</p> + +<p>He spoke cheerfully, and the others responded in like fashion. Action +gave them a mental and physical tonic, and bracing their weak bodies +they started in the direction allotted to each. Robert forgot, for a +little while, the terrible hunger that seemed to be preying upon his +very fiber, and, as he started away, showed an elasticity and buoyancy +of which he could not have dreamed himself capable five minutes +before.</p> + +<p>Westward stretched forest, lofty in the valley, high on the slopes and +everywhere dense. He plunged into it, and then looked back. Tayoga and +Willet were already gone from his sight, seeking what he sought. Their +experience in the wilderness was greater than his, and they were +superior to him in trailing, but he was very hopeful that it would be +his good fortune to find the game they needed so badly, the game they +must have soon, in truth, or perish.</p> + +<p>The valley was deep in slush and mire, and the water soaked through +his leggings and moccasins again, but he paid no attention to it now. +His new courage and strength lasted. Glancing up at the heavens he +beheld a little rift in the western clouds. A bar of light was +let through, and his mind, so imaginative, so susceptible to the +influences of earth and air, at once saw it as an omen. It was a +pillar of fire to him, and his faith was confirmed.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui is turning back his face, and he smiles upon us," he said to +himself. Then looking carefully to his rifle, he held it ready for an +instant shot.</p> + +<p>He came to the westward edge of the valley, and found the slope before +him gentle but rocky. He paused there a while in indecision, and, +then glancing up again at the bar of light that had grown broader, he +murmured, so much had he imbibed the religion and philosophy of the +Iroquois:</p> + +<p>"O Areskoui, direct me which way to go."</p> + +<p>The reply came, almost like a whisper in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Try the rocks."</p> + +<p>It always seemed to him that it was a real whisper, not his own mind +prompting him, and he walked boldly among the rocks which stretched +for a long distance along the slopes. Then, or for the time, at least, +he felt sure that a powerful hand was directing him. He saw tracks in +the soft soil between the strong uplifts and he believed that they +were fresh. Hollows were numerous there, and game of a certain kind +would seek them in bitter weather.</p> + +<p>His heart began to pound hard, too heavily, in fact, for his weakened +frame, and he was compelled to stop and steady himself. Then he +resumed the hunt once more, looking here and there between the rocky +uplifts and in the deep depressions. He lost the tracks and then +he found them, apparently fresher than ever. Would he take what he +sought? Was the face of Areskoui still inclining toward him? He looked +up and the bar of light was steadily growing broader and longer. The +smile of the Sun God was deeper, and his doubts went away, one by one.</p> + +<p>He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at +him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle +leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not +miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the +heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him.</p> + +<p>Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly +grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was +food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced. +Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while +he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The +wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was +resolved they should have none.</p> + +<p>He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle, +long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than +the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the +opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew +that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared, +striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full +of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors.</p> + +<p>"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of +a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed. +Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here +is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us."</p> + +<p>Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet +caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened +condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he +revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of +the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without +undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did +they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little +pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval +between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and +vigorous, poured back into their veins.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a +good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving +our lives."</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is +now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiated. We must cook all +the bear, and hang the flesh in the trees."</p> + +<p>"So we must," said the hunter. "It's not right that we three, who are +engaged in the great service of our country, should be hindered by the +danger of starvation. We ought now to be somewhere near the French and +Indians, watching them."</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow we will seek them, Great Bear," said Tayoga, "but do you not +think that tonight we should rest?"</p> + +<p>"So we should, Tayoga. You're right. We'll take all chances on being +seen, keep a good fire going and enjoy our comfort."</p> + +<p>"And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"If we feel like it that's just what we'll do," laughed Willet. "It's +our night, now. Surely, Robert, you're the greatest hunter in the +world! Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked +straight to your bear."</p> + +<p>"No irony," said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased. "It merely +proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you +two. But don't you notice a tremendous change?"</p> + +<p>"Change! Change in what?"</p> + +<p>"Why, everything! The whole world is transformed! Around us a +little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now +magnificent and cheerful. I never saw finer oaks and beeches. That sky +which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and +purples of a benevolent sunset. The wind, lately cold and wet, is +actually growing soft, dry and warm. It's a grand world, a kind world, +a friendly world!"</p> + +<p>"Thus, O Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "does the stomach rule man and the +universe. It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that +was black turns to rose. But the rose will soon be gone, because the +sunlight is fading and night is at hand."</p> + +<p>"But it's a fine night," said Robert sincerely. "I think it about the +finest night I ever saw coming."</p> + +<p>"Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks," said Willet, "and +you'll be sure it's the finest night that ever was or ever will be."</p> + +<p>"I think I will," said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a +sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling +sound, "and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, +I may take another."</p> + +<p>The revulsion in all three was tremendous. Although they had hidden +it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had +made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was +returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes. They +lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they +thought little of danger. Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it +did not disturb men who were as happy as they. The night came down, +heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, +but they remained before the coals, sunk in content.</p> + +<p>They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became +silent. The big hunter considered. He knew that, despite the revulsion +in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great +campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a +while in the valley until they were restored fully.</p> + +<p>Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert +kept the first watch. The night, in reality, had turned much warmer +and the sky was luminous with stars. The immense sense of comfort +remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the +wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he +knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men.</p> + +<p>His spirits, high as they were already, rose steadily as he watched. +Surely after the Supreme Power had cast them down into the depths, a +miracle had been worked in their behalf to take them out again. It was +no skill of his that had led him to the bear, but strength far greater +than that of man was now acting in their behalf. As they had triumphed +over starvation they would triumph over everything. His sanguine mind +predicted it.</p> + +<p>The next morning was crisp and cold, but not wet, and Robert ate the +most savory breakfast he could recall. That bear must have been fed on +the choicest of wild nuts, topped off with wild honey, to have been so +juicy and tender, and the thought of nuts caused him to look under the +big hickory trees, where he found many of them, large and ripe. They +made a most welcome addition to their bill of fare, taking the place +of bread. Then, they were so well pleased with themselves that they +concluded to spend another day and night in the valley.</p> + +<p>Tayoga about noon climbed the enclosing ridge to the north, and, when +he returned, Willet noticed a sparkle in his eyes. But the hunter said +nothing, knowing that the Onondaga would speak in his own good time.</p> + +<p>"There is another valley beyond the ridge," said Tayoga, "and a war +party is encamped in it. They sit by their fire and eat prodigiously +of deer they have killed."</p> + +<p>Robert was startled, but he kept silent, he, too, knowing that Tayoga +would tell all he intended to tell without urging.</p> + +<p>"They do not know we are here, I do not think they dream of our +presence," continued the Onondaga, "Areskoui smiles on us now, and +Tododaho on his star, which we cannot see by day, is watching over us. +Their feet will not bring them this way."</p> + +<p>"Then you wouldn't suggest our taking to flight?" said Willet. "You +would favor hiding here in peace?"</p> + +<p>"Even so. It will please us some day to remember that we rested and +slept almost within hearing of our enemies, and yet they did not take +us."</p> + +<p>"That's grim humor, Tayoga, but if it's the way you feel, Robert and I +are with you."</p> + +<p>Later in the afternoon they saw smoke rising beyond the ridge and +they knew the warriors had built a great fire before which they were +probably lying and gorging themselves, after their fashion when they +had plenty of food, and little else to do. Yet the three remained +defiantly all that day and all through the following night. The next +morning, with ample supplies in their packs, they turned their faces +southward, and cautiously climbed the ridge in that direction, once +more passing into the region of the peaks. To their surprise they +struck several comparatively fresh trails in the passes, and they were +soon forced to the conclusion that the hostile forces were still all +about them. Near midday they stopped in a narrow gorge between high +peaks and listened to calls of the inhabitants of the forest, the +faint howls of wolves, and once or twice the yapping of a fox.</p> + +<p>"The warriors signaling to one another!" said Willet.</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Tayoga. "I think they have noticed our tracks in +the earth, too slight, perhaps, to tell who we are, but they will +undertake to see."</p> + +<p>"I hear the call of a moose directly ahead," said Robert, "although I +know it is no moose that makes it. Our way there is cut off."</p> + +<p>"And there is the howl of the wolf behind us," said Tayoga. "We cannot +go back."</p> + +<p>"Then," said Robert, "I suppose we must climb the mountain. It's lucky +we've got our strength again."</p> + +<p>They scaled a lofty summit once more, fortunately being able to climb +among rocks, where they left no trail, and, crouched at the crest in +dense bushes, they saw two bands meet in the valley below, evidently +searching for the fugitives. There was no white man among them, but +Robert knew a gigantic figure to be that of Tandakora, seeking them +with the most intense and bitter hatred. The muzzle of his rifle began +to slide forward, but Willet put out a detaining hand.</p> + +<p>"No, Robert, lad," he said. "He deserves it, but his time hasn't come +yet. Besides your shot would bring the whole crowd up after us."</p> + +<p>"And he belongs to me," added Tayoga. "When he falls it is to be by my +hand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he belongs to you, Tayoga," said Willet "Now they've concluded +that we continued toward the south, and they're going on that way."</p> + +<p>As they felt the need of the utmost caution they spent the remainder +of the day and the next night on the crest. Robert kept the late +watch, and he saw the dawn come, red and misty, a huge sun shining +over the eastern mountains, but shedding little warmth. He was hopeful +that Tandakora and his warriors had passed on far into the south, but +he heard a distant cry rising in the clear air east of the peak and +then a reply to the west. His heart stood still for a moment. He +knew that they were the whoops of the savages and he felt that they +signified a discovery. Perhaps chance had disclosed their trail. He +listened with great intentness, but the shouts did not come again. +Nevertheless the omen was bad.</p> + +<p>He awoke Willet and the Onondaga, who had been sleeping soundly, +and told them what had happened, both agreeing that the shouts were +charged with import.</p> + +<p>"I think it likely that we will be attacked," said the hunter. "Now we +must take another look at our position."</p> + +<p>The peak, luckily for them, was precipitous, and its crest did not +cover an area of more than twenty or thirty square yards. On the three +sides the ascent was so steep that a man could not climb up except +with extreme difficulty, but on the fourth, by which they had come, +the slope was more gradual. The gentle climb faced the east, and it +was here that the hunter and Robert watched, while Tayoga, for the +sake of utmost precaution, kept an eye on the steep sides.</p> + +<p>Knowing that it was wise to economize and even to increase their +strength, they ate abundantly of the bear steaks, afterward craving +water, which they were forced to do without—the one great flaw in +their position, since the warriors might hold them there to perish of +thirst.</p> + +<p>Robert soon forgot the desire for water in the tenseness of watching +and waiting. But even the anxiety and the peril to his life did not +keep him from noticing the singularity of his situation, upon the +slender peak of a high mountain far in the wilderness. The sun, full +of splendor but still cold, touched with gold all the surrounding +crests and ridges and filled with a yellow but luxurious haze every +gorge and ravine. He was compelled to admire its wintry beauty, a +beauty, though, that he knew to be treacherous, surcharged as it was +with savage wile and stratagem, and a burning desire for their lives.</p> + +<p>A time that seemed incredible passed without demonstration from the +enemy. But he realized that it was only about two hours. He did not +expect to see any of the warriors creeping up the slopes toward them, +but too wise to watch for their faces he did expect to notice the +bushes move ever so slightly under their advance. He and Willet +remained crouched in the same positions in the shelter of high rocks. +Tayoga, who had been moving about the far side, came to them and +whispered:</p> + +<p>"I am going down the northern face of the cliff!"</p> + +<p>"Why, it's sheer insanity, Tayoga!" said the astonished hunter.</p> + +<p>"But I'm going."</p> + +<p>"What'll you achieve after you've gone? You'll merely walk into +Tandakora's hands!"</p> + +<p>"I go, Great Bear, and I will return in a half hour, alive and well."</p> + +<p>"Is your mind upset, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"I am quite sane. Remember, Great Bear, I will be back in a half hour +unhurt."</p> + +<p>Then he was gone, gliding away through the low vegetation that covered +the crest, and Robert and the hunter looked at each other.</p> + +<p>"There is more in this than the eye sees," said young Lennox. "I never +knew Tayoga to speak with more confidence. I think he will be back +just as he says, in half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Maybe, though I don't understand it. But there are lots of things one +doesn't understand. We must keep our eyes on the slope, and let Tayoga +solve his own problem, whatever it is."</p> + +<p>There was no wind at all, but once Robert thought he saw the shrubs +halfway down the steep move, though he was not sure and nothing +followed. But, intently watching the place where the motion had +occurred, he caught a gleam of metal which he was quite sure came from +a rifle barrel.</p> + +<p>"Did you see it?" he whispered to the hunter.</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad," replied Willet. "They're there in that dense clump, hoping +we've relaxed the watch and that they can surprise us. But it may be +two or three hours before they come any farther. Always remember in +your dealings with Indians that they have more time than anything +else, and so they know how to be patient. Now, I wonder what Tayoga is +doing! That boy certainly had something unusual on his mind!"</p> + +<p>"Here he is, ready to speak for himself, and back inside his promised +half hour."</p> + +<p>Tayoga parted the bushes without noise, and sat down between them +behind the big rocks. He offered no explanation, but seemed very +content with himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, Tayoga," said Willet, "did you go down the side of the +mountain?"</p> + +<p>"As far as I wished."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>"I have been engaged in a very pleasant task, Great Bear."</p> + +<p>"What pleasure can you find in scaling a steep and rocky slope?"</p> + +<p>"I have been drinking, Great Bear, drinking the fresh, pure water of +the mountains, and it was wonderfully cool and good to my dry throat."</p> + +<p>The two gazed at him in astonishment, and he laughed low, but with +deep enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"I took one drink, two drinks, three drinks," he said, "and when the +time comes I shall take more. The fountain also awaits the lips of the +Great Bear and of Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Tell it all," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"When I looked down the steep side a long time I thought I caught a +gleam as of falling water in the bushes. It was only twenty or thirty +yards below us, and, when I descended to it, I found a little fountain +bursting from a crevice in the rock. It was but a thread, making +a tiny pool a few inches across, before it dropped away among the +bushes, but it is very cool, very clear, and there is always plenty of +it for many men."</p> + +<p>"Is the descent hard?" asked Willet.</p> + +<p>"Not for one who is strong and cautious. There are thick vines and +bushes to which to hold, and remember that the splendid water is at +the end of the journey."</p> + +<p>"Then, Robert, you go," said the hunter, "and mind, too, that you get +back soon, because my throat is parching. I'd like to have one deep +drink before the warriors attack."</p> + +<p>Robert followed Tayoga, and, obeying his instructions, was soon at the +fountain, where he drank once, twice, thrice, and then once more +of the finest water he could recall. Then, deeply grateful for the +Onondaga's observation, he climbed back, and the hunter took his turn.</p> + +<p>"It was certainly good, Tayoga," he said, when he was back in +position. "Some men don't think much of water, but none of us can live +without it. You've saved our lives."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, O Great Bear," responded the Onondaga, "but if the bushes +below continue to shake as they are doing we shall have to save them +again. Ah!"</p> + +<p>The exclamation, long drawn but low, was followed by the leap of his +rifle to the shoulder, and the pressing of his finger on the trigger. +A stream of fire sprang from the muzzle of the long barrel to be +followed by a yell in one of the thickets clustering on the slope. A +savage rose to his feet, threw up his arms and fell headlong, his body +crashing far below on the rocks. Robert shut his eyes and shivered.</p> + +<p>"He was dead before he touched earth, lad," said the hunter. "Now the +others are ready to scramble back. Look how the bushes are shaking +again!"</p> + +<p>Robert had shut his eyes only for a moment, and now he saw the scrub +shaking more violently than ever. Then he had a fleeting glimpse of +brown bodies as all the warriors descended rapidly. Anyone of the +three might have fired with good aim, but they did not raise their +rifles. Since their enemies were retreating they would let them +retreat.</p> + +<p>"They're all back in the valley now," said the hunter after a little +while, "and they'll think a lot before they try the steep ascent a +second time. Now it's a question of patience, and they hope we'll +become so weak from thirst that we'll fall into their hands."</p> + +<p>"Tandakora and his warriors would be consumed with anger if they knew +of our spring," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"They'll find out about it soon," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think not," said Tayoga. "I noticed when I was at the fountain that +the rivulet ran back into the cliff about a hundred feet below, and +one can see the water only from the crest. If Areskoui has allowed us +to be besieged here, he at least has created much in our favor."</p> + +<p>He looked toward the east, where the great red sun was shining, and +worshiped silently. It seemed to Robert that his young comrade stared +unwinking for a long time into the eye of the Sun God, though perhaps +it was only a few seconds. But his form expanded and his face was +illumined. Robert knew that the Onondaga's confidence had become +supreme, and he shared in it.</p> + +<p>The hunter and Tayoga kept the watch after a while, and young Lennox +was free to wander about the crest as he wished. He examined carefully +the three sides they had left unguarded, but was convinced that no +warrior, no matter how skillful and tenacious, could climb up there. +Then he wandered back toward the sentinels, and, sitting down under a +tree, began to study the distant slopes across the gorge.</p> + +<p>He saw the warriors gather by-and-by in a deep recess out of rifle +shot, light a fire and begin to cook great quantities of game, as +if they meant to stay there and keep the siege until doomsday, if +necessary. He saw the gigantic figure of Tandakora approach the fire, +eat voraciously for a while and then go away. After him came a white +man in French uniform. He thought at first it was St. Luc and his +heart beat hard, but he was able to discern presently that it was an +officer not much older than himself, in a uniform of white faced with +violet and a black, three-cornered hat. Finally he recognized young De +Galissonnière, whom he had met in Québec, and whom he had seen a few +days since in the French camp.</p> + +<p>As he looked De Galissonnière left the recess, descended into the +valley and then began to climb their slope, a white handkerchief held +aloft on the point of his small sword. Young Lennox immediately joined +the two watchers at the brink.</p> + +<p>"A flag of truce! Now what can he want!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"We'll soon see," replied Willet. "He's within good hearing now, and +I'll hail him."</p> + +<p>He shouted in powerful tones that echoed in the gorge:</p> + +<p>"Below there! What is it?"</p> + +<p>"I have something to say that will be of great importance to you," +replied De Galissonnière.</p> + +<p>"Then come forward, while we remain here. We don't trust your allies."</p> + +<p>Robert saw the face of the young Frenchman flush, but De +Galissonnière, as if knowing the truth, and resolved not to quibble +over it, climbed steadily. When he was within twenty feet of the +crest the hunter called to him to halt, and he did so, leaning easily +against a strong bush, while the three waited eagerly to hear what he +had to say.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IV"></a><h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE GODS AT PLAY</h3> + +<p>De Galissonnière gazed at the three faces, peering at him over the +brink, and then drew himself together jauntily. His position, perched +on the face of the cliff, was picturesque, and he made the most of it.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to see you again Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and Tayoga, the +brave Onondaga," he said. "It's been a long time since we met in +Québec and much water has flowed under that bridge of Avignon, of +which we French sing, but I can't see that any one of you has changed +much."</p> + +<p>"Nor you," said Robert, catching his tone and acting as spokesman +for the three. "The circumstances are unusual, Captain Louis de +Galissonnière, and I'm sorry I can't invite you to come up on our +crest, but it wouldn't be military to let you have a look at our +fortifications."</p> + +<p>"I understand, and I do very well where I am. I wish to say first that +I am sorry to see you in such a plight."</p> + +<p>"And we, Captain, regret to find you allied with such a savage as +Tandakora."</p> + +<p>A quick flush passed over the young Frenchman's face, but he made no +other sign.</p> + +<p>"In war one cannot always choose," he replied. "I have come to receive +your surrender, and I warn you very earnestly that it will be wise for +you to tender it. The Indians have lost one man already and they are +inflamed. If they lose more I might not be able to control them."</p> + +<p>"And if we yield ourselves you pledge us our lives, a transfer in +safety to Canada where we are to remain as prisoners of war, until +such time as we may be exchanged?"</p> + +<p>"All that I promise, and gladly."</p> + +<p>"You're sure, Captain de Galissonnière, that you can carry out the +conditions?"</p> + +<p>"Absolutely sure. You are surrounded here on the peak, and you cannot +get away. All we have to do is to keep the siege."</p> + +<p>"That is true, but while you can wait so can we."</p> + +<p>"But we have plenty of water, and you have none."</p> + +<p>"You would urge us again to surrender on the ground that it would be +the utmost wisdom for us to do so?"</p> + +<p>"It goes without saying, Mr. Lennox."</p> + +<p>"Then, that being the case, we decline."</p> + +<p>De Galissonnière looked up in astonishment at the young face that +gazed down at him. The answer he had expected was quite the reverse.</p> + +<p>"You mean that you refuse?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"It is just what I meant."</p> + +<p>"May I ask why, when you are in such a hopeless position?"</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, Mr. Willet and I wish to see how long we can endure the pangs +of thirst without total collapse. We've had quite a difference on the +subject. Tayoga says ten days, Mr. Willet twelve days, but I think we +can stand it a full two weeks."</p> + +<p>De Galissonnière frowned.</p> + +<p>"You are frivolous, Mr. Lennox," he said, "and this is not a time for +light talk. I don't know what you mean, but it seems to me you don't +appreciate the dire nature of your peril. I liked you and your +comrades when I met you in Québec and I do not wish to see you perish +at the hands of the savages. That is why I have climbed up here to +make you this offer, which I have wrung from the reluctant Tandakora. +It was he who assured me that the besieged were you. It pains me that +you see fit to reject it."</p> + +<p>"I know it was made out of a good heart," said Robert, seriously, "and +we thank you for the impulse that brought you here. Some day we may be +able to repay it, but we decline because there are always chances. You +know, Captain, that while we have life we always have hope. We may yet +escape."</p> + +<p>"I do not see wherein it is possible," said the young Frenchman, with +actual reluctance in his tone. "But it is for you to decide what you +wish to do. Farewell."</p> + +<p>"Farewell, Captain de Galissonnière," said Robert, with the utmost +sincerity. "I hope no bullet of ours will touch you."</p> + +<p>The captain made a courteous gesture of good-by and slowly descended +the slope, disappearing among the bushes in the gorge, whence came a +fierce and joyous shout.</p> + +<p>"That was the cry of the savages when he told them our answer," said +Willet. "They don't want us to surrender. They think that by-and-by +we'll fall into their hands through exhaustion, and then they can work +their will upon us."</p> + +<p>"They don't know about that fountain, that pure, blessed fountain," +said Robert, "the finest fountain that gushes out anywhere in this +northern wilderness, the fountain that Tayoga's Areskoui has put here +for our especial benefit."</p> + +<p>His heart had become very light and, as usual when his optimism was +at its height, words gushed forth. Water, and their ability to get it +whenever they wanted it, was the key to everything, and he painted +their situation in such bright colors that his two comrades could not +keep from sharing his enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Truly, Dagaeoga did not receive the gift of words in vain," said +Tayoga. "Golden speech flows from him, and it lifts up the minds +of those who hear. Manitou finds a use for everybody, even for the +orator."</p> + +<p>"Though it was a hard task, even for Manitou," laughed Robert.</p> + +<p>They watched the whole afternoon without any demonstration from the +enemy—they expected none—and toward evening the Onondaga, who was +gazing into the north, announced a dark shadow on the horizon.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Robert. "A cloud? I hope we won't have another +storm."</p> + +<p>"It is no cloud," replied Tayoga. "It is something else that moves +very fast, and it comes in our direction. A little longer and I can +tell what it is. Now I see; it is a flight of wild pigeons, a great +flock, hundreds of thousands, and millions, going south to escape the +winter."</p> + +<p>"We've seen such flights often."</p> + +<p>"So we have, but this is coming straight toward us, and I have a great +thought, Dagaeoga. Areskoui has not only forgiven us for our unknown +sin—perhaps of omission—but he has also decided to put help in our +way, if we will use it. You see many dwarf trees at the southern edge +of the crest, and I believe that by dark they will be covered with +pigeons, stopping for the night."</p> + +<p>"And some of them will stop for our benefit, though we have bear meat +too! I see, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>Robert watched the flying cloud, which had grown larger and blacker, +and then he saw that Tayoga was right. It was an immense flock of wild +pigeons, and, as the twilight fell, they covered the trees upon their +crest so thickly that the boughs bent beneath them. Young Lennox and +the Onondaga killed as many as they wished with sticks, and soon, fat +and juicy, they were broiling over the coals.</p> + +<p>"Tandakora will guess that the pigeons have fed us," said Robert, "and +he will not like it, but he will yet know nothing about the water."</p> + +<p>They climbed down in turn in the darkness and took a drink, and +Robert, who explored a little, found many vines loaded with wild +grapes, ripe and rich, which made a splendid dessert. Then he took +a number of the smaller but very tough stems, and knotting them +together, with the assistance of Tayoga ran a strong rope from the +crest down to the fountain, thus greatly easing the descent for water +and the return.</p> + +<p>"Now we can take two drinks where we took one before," he said +triumphantly when the task was finished. "If you have your water there +is nothing like making it easy to be reached. Moreover, while it was +safe for an agile fellow like me, you and Dave, Tayoga, being stiff +and clumsy, might have tumbled down the mountain and then I should +have been lonesome."</p> + +<p>Willet, who had been keeping the watch alone, was inclined to the +belief that they might expect an attack in the night, if it should +prove to be very dark. He felt able, however, should such an attempt +come, to detect the advance of the savages, either by sight or +hearing, especially the latter, ear in such cases generally informing +him earlier than eye. But as neither Robert nor Tayoga was busy they +joined him, and all three sat near the brink with their rifles across +their knees, and their pistols loosened in their belts, ready for +their foes should they come in numbers.</p> + +<p>They talked a while in low tones, and then fell silent. The night had +come, starless and moonless, favorable to the designs of Tandakora, +but they felt intense satisfaction, nevertheless. It was partly +physical. Robert's making of an easy road to the water, the coming of +the pigeons, to be eaten, apparently sent by Areskoui, and the ease +with which they believed they could hold their lofty fortress, +combined to produce a victorious state of mind. Robert looked over the +brink once or twice at the steep slope, and he felt that the warriors +would, in truth, be taking a mighty risk, if they came up that steep +path against the three.</p> + +<p>He and Tayoga, in the heavy darkness, depended, like Willet, chiefly +on ear. It was impossible to see to the bottom of the valley, where +the dusk had rolled up like a sea, but, as the night was still, they +felt sure they could hear anyone climbing up the peak. In order to +make themselves more comfortable they spread their blankets at the +very brink, and lay down upon them, thus being able to repose, and at +the same time watch without the risk of inviting a shot.</p> + +<p>Young Lennox knew that the attack, if it came at all, would not come +until late, and restraining his naturally eager and impatient temper, +he used all the patience that his strong will could summon, never +ceasing meanwhile to lend an attentive ear to every sound of the +night. He heard the wind rise, moan a little while in the gorge and +then die; he heard a fitful breeze rustle the boughs on the slopes and +then grow still, and he heard his comrades move once or twice to ease +their positions, but no other sound came to him until nearly midnight, +and then he heard the fall of a pebble on the slope, absolute proof +to one experienced as he that it had been displaced by the incautious +foot of a climbing enemy.</p> + +<p>The rattling of the pebble was succeeded by a long interval of +silence, and the lad understood that too. The warriors, to whom time +was nothing, fearing that suspicion had been aroused by the fall of +the pebble, would wait until it had been lulled before resuming their +advance. They would flatten themselves like lizards against the slope, +not stirring an inch. But the three were as patient as they, and while +a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest +sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a +particle. Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and +they peered cautiously over.</p> + +<p>They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes +about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, +whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his +fire in reserve. Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in +the darkness and pulled trigger. Shouts, the fall of bodies and the +crackling of rifles came back. A half dozen bullets, fired almost at +random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at +a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall +following at once.</p> + +<p>Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and +held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come. But it +did not come. Even the rage of Tandakora had had enough. His second +repulse had been bloodier than the first, and it had been proved with +the lives of his warriors that they could not storm that terrible +steep, in the face of three such redoubtable marksmen.</p> + +<p>Robert heard a number of pebbles rolling now, but they were made by +men descending, and the three, certain of abundant leisure, reloaded +their rifles. Their eyes told them nothing, but they were as sure as +if they had seen them that the warriors had disappeared in the sea of +darkness with which the gulf was filled. The lad breathed a long sigh +of relief.</p> + +<p>"You're justified in your satisfaction," said Willet. "I think it's +the last direct attack they'll make upon us. Now they'll try the slow +methods of siege and our exhaustion by thirst, and how it would make +their venom rise if they knew anything about that glorious fountain +of ours! Since it's to be a test of patience, we'd better make things +easy for ourselves. I'll sit here and watch the slope, and, as the +night is turning cold, you and Tayoga, Robert, can build a fire."</p> + +<p>There was a dip in the center of the crest, and in this they heaped +the fallen wood, which here as elsewhere in the wilderness was +abundant. Wood and water, two great requisites of primitive man, they +had in plenty, and had it not been for their eagerness to go forward +with their work they would have been content to stay indefinitely on +the peak.</p> + +<p>The fire was soon blazing cheerfully. Warriors on the opposing peaks +or crest might see it, but they did not care. No bullets from rival +heights could reach them and the light would appear to their enemies +as a beacon of defiance, a sort of challenge that was very pleasing to +Robert's soul. He basked in the glow and heat of the coals, ate bear +meat and wild pigeon for a late supper, and discoursed on the strength +of their natural fortress.</p> + +<p>"The peak was reared here by Areskoui for our especial benefit," he +said. "It is in every sense a tower of strength, water even being +placed in its side that we might not die of thirst."</p> + +<p>"And yet we cannot stay here always," said the Onondaga. "Tomorrow we +must think of a way of escape."</p> + +<p>"Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tayoga, you're too serious! You're +missing the pleasure of the night."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga loves to talk and he talks well. His voice is pleasant in my +ear like to the murmur of a silver brook. Perhaps he is right. Lo! the +clouds have gone, and I can see Tododaho on his star. Areskoui watches +over us by day and Tododaho by night. We are once more the favorites +of the Sun God and of the great Onondaga who went away to his +everlasting star more than four centuries ago. Again I say Dagaeoga is +right; I will enjoy the night, and let the morrow care for itself."</p> + +<p>He drew the folds of his blanket to his chin and stretched his length +before the fire. Having made up his mind to be satisfied, Tayoga would +let nothing interfere with such a laudable purpose. Soon he slept +peacefully.</p> + +<p>"You might follow him," said Willet.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I can do it now," said Robert. "I've a restless +spirit."</p> + +<p>"Then wander about the peak, and I'll take up my old place at the edge +of the slope."</p> + +<p>Robert went back to the far side, where he had stretched his rope of +grape vines down to the spring, and, craving their cool, fresh taste, +he ate more of the grapes. He noticed then that they were uncommonly +plentiful. All along the cliff they trailed in great, rich clusters, +black and glossy, fairly asking to be eaten. In places the vines +hung in perfect mazes, and he looked at them questioningly. Then +the thought came to him and he wondered why it had been so slow of +arrival. He returned to Willet and said:</p> + +<p>"I don't think you need watch any longer here, Dave."</p> + +<p>"Why?" was the hunter's astonished reply.</p> + +<p>"Because we're going to leave the mountain."</p> + +<p>"Leave the mountain! It's more likely, Robert, that your prudence has +left you. If we went down the slope we'd go squarely into the horde, +and then it would be a painful and lingering end for us."</p> + +<p>"I don't mean the slope. We're to go down the other side of the +cliff."</p> + +<p>"Except here and near the bottom the mountain is as steep everywhere +as the side of a house. The only way for us to get down is to fall +down and then we'd stop too quick."</p> + +<p>"We don't have to fall down, we'll climb down."</p> + +<p>"Can't be done, Robert, my boy. There's not enough bushes."</p> + +<p>"We don't need bushes, there are miles of grape vines as strong as +leather. All we have to do is to knot them together securely and our +rope is ready. If we eased our way to the spring with vines then we +can finish the journey to the bottom of the cliff with them."</p> + +<p>The hunter's gaze met that of the lad, and it was full of approval.</p> + +<p>"I believe you've found the way, Robert," said Willet. "Wake Tayoga +and see what he thinks."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga received the proposal with enthusiasm, and he made the +further suggestion that they build high the fire for the sake of +deceiving the besiegers.</p> + +<p>"And suppose we prop up two or three pieces of fallen tree trunk +before it," added Robert. "Warriors watching on the opposite slopes +will take them for our figures and will not dream that we're +attempting to escape."</p> + +<p>That idea, too, was adopted, and in a few minutes the fire was blazing +and roaring, while a stream of sparks drifted up merrily from it to be +lost in the dusk. Near it the fragments of tree trunks set erect would +pass easily, at a great distance and in the dark, for human beings. +Then, while Willet watched, Robert and Tayoga knotted the vines with +quick and dextrous hands, throwing the cable over a bough, and trying +every knot with their double weight. A full two hours they toiled and +then they exulted.</p> + +<p>"It will reach from the clump of bushes about the fountain to the next +clump below, which is low down," said Robert, "and from there we can +descend without help."</p> + +<p>They called Willet, and the three, leaving the crest which had been +such a refuge for them and which they had defended so well, descended +to the fountain. At that point they secured their cable with infinite +care to the largest of the dwarf trees and let it drop over across a +bare space to the next clump of bushes below, a distance that seemed +very great, it was so steep. Robert claimed the honor of the first +descent, but it was finally conceded to Tayoga, who was a trifle +lighter.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga fastened securely upon his back his rifle and his pack +containing food, and then, grasping the cable firmly with both hands, +he began to go down, while his friends watched with great anxiety. He +was not obliged to swing clear his whole weight, but was able to brace +his feet against the cliff. Thus he steadied the vines, but Robert and +Willet nevertheless breathed great sighs of relief, when he reached +the bushes below, and detached himself from the cable.</p> + +<p>"It is safe," he called back.</p> + +<p>Robert went next and Willet followed. When the three were in the +bushes, clinging to their tough and wiry strength, they found that the +difficulties, as they invariably do, had decreased. Below them the +slope was not so steep by any means, and, by holding to the rocky +outcrops and scant bushes, they could make the full descent of the +mountain. While they rested for a little space where they were, Robert +suddenly began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"Is Dagaeoga rejoicing so soon?" asked Tayoga</p> + +<p>"Why shouldn't I laugh," replied Robert, "when we have such a good +jest?"</p> + +<p>"What jest? I see none."</p> + +<p>"Why, to think of Tandakora sitting at the foot of our peak and +watching there three or four days, waiting all the time for us to die +of hunger and thirst, and we far to the south. At least he'll see that +the mountain doesn't get away, and Tandakora, I take it, has small +sense of humor. When he penetrates the full measure of the joke he'll +love us none the less. Perhaps, though, De Galissonnière will not +mourn, because he knows that if we were taken after a siege he could +not save us from the cruelty of the savages."</p> + +<p>The hunter and the Onondaga were forced to laugh a little with him, +and then, rested thoroughly, they resumed the descent, leaving their +cable to tell its own tale, later on. The rest of the slope, although +possible, was slow and painful, testing their strength and skill to +the utmost, but they triumphed over everything and before day were in +a gorge, with the entire height of the peak towering above them and +directly between them and their enemies. Here they flung themselves +on the ground and rested until day, when they began a rapid flight +southward, curving about among the peaks, as the easiest way led them.</p> + +<p>The air rapidly grew warmer, showing that the sudden winter had come +only on the high mountains, and that autumn yet lingered on the lower +levels. The gorgeous reds and yellows and browns and vivid shades +between returned, but there was a haze in the air and the west was +dusky.</p> + +<p>"Storm will come again before night," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"I think so too," said Willet, "and as I've no mind to be beaten about +by it, suppose we build a spruce shelter in the gorge here and wait +until it passes."</p> + +<p>The two lads were more than willing, feeling that the chance of +pursuit had passed for a long time at least, and they set to work with +their sharp hatchets, rapidly making a crude but secure wickiup, as +usual against the rocky side of a hill. Before the task was done the +sky darkened much more, and far in the west thunder muttered.</p> + +<p>"It's rolling down a gorge," said Robert, "and hark! you can hear it +also in the south."</p> + +<p>From a point, far distant from the first, came a like rumble, and, +after a few moments of silence, a third rumble was heard to the east. +Silence again and then the far rumble came from the south.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," said Robert. "It isn't often that you hear thunder on +all sides of you."</p> + +<p>"Listen!" exclaimed Tayoga, whose face bore a rapt and extraordinary +look. The four rumbles again went around the horizon, coming from one +point after the other in turn.</p> + +<p>"It is no ordinary thunder," said the Onondaga in a tone of deep +conviction.</p> + +<p>"What is it, then?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"It is Manitou, Areskoui, Tododaho and Hayowentha talking together. +That is why we have the thunder north, east, south and west. Hear +their voices carrying all through the heavens!"</p> + +<p>"Which is Manitou?"</p> + +<p>"That I cannot tell. But the great gods talk, one with another, though +what they say is not for us to know. It is not right that mere mortals +like ourselves should understand them, when they speak across infinite +space."</p> + +<p>"It may be that you're right, Tayoga," said Willet.</p> + +<p>The three did not yet go into the spruce shelter, because, contrary to +the signs, there was no rain. The wind moaned heavily and thick black +clouds swept up in an almost continuous procession from the western +horizon, but they did not let a drop fall. The thunder at the four +points of the horizon went on, the reports moving from north to east, +and thence to south and west, and then around and around, always in +the same direction. After every crash there was a long rumble in the +gorges until the next crash came again. Now and then lightning flared.</p> + +<p>"It is not a storm after all," said the Onondaga, "or, at least, if a +storm should come it will not be until after night is at hand, when +the great gods are through talking. Listen to the heavy booming, +always like the sound of a thousand big guns at one time. Now the +lightning grows and burns until it is at a white heat. The great gods +not only talk, but they are at play. They hurl thunderbolts through +infinite space, and watch them fall. Then they send thunder rumbling +through our mountains, and the sound is as soft to them as a whisper +to us."</p> + +<p>"Your idea is pretty sound, Tayoga," said Willet, who had imbibed more +than a little of the Iroquois philosophy, "and it does look as if the +gods were at play because there is so much thunder and lightning and +no rain. Look at that flash on the mountain toward the east! I think +it struck. Yes, there goes a tree! When the gods play among the peaks +it's just as well for us to stay down here in the gorge."</p> + +<p>"But the crashes still run regularly from north to east and on +around," said Robert. "I suppose that when they finish talking, the +rain will come, and we'll have plenty of need for our spruce shelter."</p> + +<p>The deep rumbling continued all through the rest of the afternoon. +A dusk as of twilight arrived long before sunset, but it was of an +unusually dull, grayish hue, and it affected Robert as if he were +breathing an air surcharged with gunpowder. It colored and intensified +everything. The peaks and ridges rose to greater heights, the gorges +and valleys were deeper, the reports of the thunder, extremely heavy, +in fact, were doubled and tripled in fancy; all that Tayoga had said +about the play of the gods was true. Tododaho, the great Onondaga, +spoke across the void to Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, and Areskoui, +the Sun God, conversed with Manitou, the All Powerful, Himself.</p> + +<p>The imaginative lad felt awe but no fear. The gods at play in the +heavens would not condescend to harm a humble mortal like himself and +it was an actual pleasure because he was there to hear them. Just +before the invisible sun went over the rim of the horizon, a brilliant +red light shot for a minute or two from the west through the gray +haze, and fell on the faces of the three, sitting in silence before +their spruce shelter.</p> + +<p>"It is Areskoui throwing off his most brilliant beams before he goes," +said Tayoga. "Now I think the play will soon be over, and we may look +for the rain."</p> + +<p>The crashes of thunder increased swiftly and greatly in violence, and +then, as the Onondaga had predicted, ceased abruptly. The silence that +followed was so heavy that it was oppressive. No current of air was +moving anywhere. Not a leaf stirred. The grayish haze became thicker +and every ridge and peak was hidden. Presently a sound like a sigh +came down the gorge, but it soon grew.</p> + +<p>"We'll go inside," said Tayoga, "because the deluge is at hand."</p> + +<p>They crowded themselves into their crude little hut, and in five +minutes the flood was upon them, pouring with such violence that some +of it forced its way through the hasty thatch, but they were able +to protect themselves with their blankets, and they slept the night +through in a fair degree of comfort.</p> + +<p>In the morning they saw a world washed clean, bright and shining, and +they breathed an autumnal air wonderful in its purity. Feeling safe +now from pursuit, they were no longer eager to flee. A brief council +of three decided that they would hang once more on the French and +Indian flank. It had been their purpose to discover what was intended +by the formidable array they had seen, and it was their purpose yet.</p> + +<p>They did not go back on their path, but they turned eastward into a +land of little and beautiful lakes, through which one of the great +Indian trails from the northwest passed, and made a hidden camp +near the shore of a sheet of water about a mile square, set in the +mountains like a gem. They had method in locating here, as the trail +ran through a gorge less than half a mile to the east of their camp, +and they had an idea that the spy, Garay, might pass that way, two of +them always abiding by the trail, while the third remained in their +secluded camp or hunted game. Willet shot a deer and Tayoga brought +down a rare wild turkey, while Robert caught some wonderful lake +trout. So they had plenty of food, and they were content to wait.</p> + +<p>They were sure that Garay had not yet gone, as the storms that had +threatened them would certainly have delayed his departure, and +neither the hunter nor the Onondaga could discover any traces of +footsteps. Fortunately the air continued to turn warmer and the lower +country in which they now were had all the aspects of Indian summer. +Robert, shaken a little perhaps by the great hardships and dangers +through which he had passed, though he may not have realized at the +time the weight upon his nerves, recovered quickly, and, as usual, +passed, with the rebound, to the heights of optimism.</p> + +<p>"What do you expect to get from Garay?" he asked Willet as he changed +places with him on the trail.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure," replied the hunter, "but if we catch him we'll find +something. We've got to take our bird first, and then we'll see. He +went north and west with a message, and that being the case he's bound +to take one back. I don't think Garay is a first-class woodsman and we +may be able to seize him."</p> + +<p>Robert was pleased with the idea of the hunted turning into the +hunters, and he and Tayoga now did most of the watching along the +trail, a watch that was not relaxed either by day or by night. On +the sixth night the two youths were together, and Tayoga thought he +discerned a faint light to the north.</p> + +<p>"It may be a low star shining over a hill," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think it is the glow from a small camp fire," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"It's a question that's decided easily."</p> + +<p>"You mean we'll stalk it, star or fire, whichever it may be?"</p> + +<p>"That is what we're here for, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>They began an exceedingly cautious advance toward the light, and it +soon became evident that it was a fire, though, as Tayoga had said, a +small one, set in a little valley and almost hidden by the surrounding +foliage. Now they redoubled their caution, using every forest art to +make a silent approach, as they might find a band of warriors around +the blaze, and they did not wish to walk with open eyes into any +such deadly trap. Their delight was great when they saw only one man +crouched over the coals in a sitting posture, his head bent over his +knees; so that, in effect, only his back was visible, but they knew +him at once. It was Garay.</p> + +<p>The heart of young Lennox flamed with anger and triumph. Here was the +fellow who had tried to take his life in Albany, and, if he wished +revenge, the moment was full of opportunity. Yet he could never fire +at a man's back, and it was their cue, moreover, to take him alive. +Garay's rifle was leaning against a log, six or eight feet from him, +and his attitude indicated that he might be asleep. His clothing was +stained and torn, and he bore all the signs of a long journey and +extreme weariness.</p> + +<p>"See what it is to come into the forest and not be master of all its +secrets," whispered Tayoga. "Garay is the messenger of Onontio (the +Governor General of Canada) and Tandakora, and yet he sleeps, when +those who oppose him are abroad."</p> + +<p>"A man has to sleep some time or other," said Robert, "or at least a +white man must. We're not all like an Iroquois; we can't stay awake +forever if need be."</p> + +<p>"If one goes to the land of Tarenyawagon when his enemies are at hand +he must pay the price, Dagaeoga, and now the price that Garay is going +to pay will be a high one. Surely Manitou has delivered him, helpless, +into our hands. Come, we will go closer."</p> + +<p>They crept through the bushes until they could have reached out and +touched the spy with the muzzles of their rifles, and still he did not +stir. Into that heavy and weary brain, plunged into dulled slumbers, +entered no thought of a stalking foe. The fire sank and the bent +back sagged a little lower. Garay had traveled hard and long. He was +anxious to get back to Albany with what he knew, and he felt sure that +the northern forests contained only friends. He had built his fire +without apprehension, and sleep had overtaken him quickly.</p> + +<p>A fox stirred in the thicket beyond the fire and looked suspiciously +at the coals and the still figure beyond them. He did not see the +other two figures in the bushes but his animosity as well as his +suspicion was aroused. He edged a little nearer, and then a slight +sound in the thicket caused him to creep back. But he was an inquiring +fox, and, although he buried himself under a bush, he still looked, +staring with sharp, intent eyes.</p> + +<p>He saw a shadow glide from the thicket, pick up the rifle of Garay +which leaned against the fallen log, and then glide back, soundless. +The curiosity of the fox now prevailed over his suspicion. The shadow +had not menaced him, and his vulpine intelligence told him that he was +not concerned in the drama now about to unfold itself. He was merely a +spectator, and, as he looked, he saw the shadow glide back and crouch +beside the sleeping man. Then a second shadow came and crouched on the +other side.</p> + +<p>What the fox saw was the approach of Robert and Tayoga, whom some +whimsical humor had seized. They intended to make the surprise +complete and Robert, with a memory of the treacherous shot in Albany, +was willing also to fill the soul of the spy with terror. Tayoga +adroitly removed the pistol and knife from the belt of Garay, and +Robert touched him lightly on the shoulder. Still he did not stir, and +then the youth brought his hand down heavily.</p> + +<p>Garay uttered the sigh of one who comes reluctantly from the land of +sleep and who would have gone back through the portals which were only +half opened, but Robert brought his hand down again, good and hard. +Then his eyes flew open and he saw the calm face beside him, and the +calm eyes less than a foot away, staring straight into his own. +It must be an evil dream, he thought at first, but it had all the +semblance of reality, and, when he turned his head in fear, he saw +another face on the other side of him, carved in red bronze, it too +only a foot away and staring at him in stern accusation.</p> + +<p>Then all the faculties of Garay, spy and attempted assassin, leaped +into life, and he uttered a yell of terror, springing to his feet, as +if he had been propelled by a galvanic battery. Strong hands, seizing +him on either side, pulled him down again and the voice of Tayoga, of +the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of +the Hodenosaunee said insinuatingly in his ear:</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Achille Garay! Here are two who wish to talk with you!"</p> + +<p>He fell back heavily and his soul froze within him, as he recognized +the faces. His figure sagged, his eyes puffed out, and he waited in +silent terror.</p> + +<p>"I see that you recognize us, Achille Garay," said Robert, whose +whimsical humor was still upon him. "You'll recall that shot in +Albany. Perhaps you did not expect to meet my friend and me here in +the heart of the northern forests, but here we are. What have you to +say for yourself?"</p> + +<p>Garay strove to speak, but the half formed words died on his lips.</p> + +<p>"We wish explanations about that little affair in Albany," continued +his merciless interlocutor, "and perhaps there is no better time than +the present. Again I repeat, what have you to say? And you have also +been in the French and Indian camp. You bore a message to St. Luc and +Tandakora and beyond a doubt you bear another back to somebody. We +want to know about that too. Oh, we want to know about many things!"</p> + +<p>"I have no message," stammered Garay.</p> + +<p>"Your word is not good. We shall find methods of making you talk. You +have been among the Indians and you ought to know something about +these methods. But first I must lecture you on your lack of woodcraft. +It is exceedingly unwise to build a fire in the wilderness and go +to sleep beside it, unless there is someone with you to watch. I'm +ashamed of you, Monsieur Garay, to have neglected such an elementary +lesson. It made your capture easy, so ridiculously easy that it +lacked piquancy and interest. Tayoga and I were not able to give our +faculties and strength the healthy exercise they need. Come now, are +you ready to walk?"</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with me?" asked Garay in French, which both +of his captors understood and spoke.</p> + +<p>"We haven't decided upon that," replied Robert maliciously, "but +whatever it is we'll make it varied and lively. It may please you +to know that we've been waiting several days for you, but we scarce +thought you'd go to sleep squarely in the trail, just where we'd be +sure to see you. Stand up now and march like a man, ready to meet any +fate. Fortune has turned against you, but you still have the chance to +show your Spartan courage and endurance."</p> + +<p>"The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a +heroic soul," said Tayoga solemnly.</p> + +<p>Garay shivered.</p> + +<p>"You'll save me from torture?" he said to Robert.</p> + +<p>Young Lennox shook his head.</p> + +<p>"I'd do so if it were left to me," he said, "but my friend, Tayoga, +has a hard heart. In such matters as these he will not let me have my +way. He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation. Also, David +Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for +extreme measures. You'll soon face him. Now, march straight to the +right!"</p> + +<p>Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in +the direction indicated. Close behind him came the avenging two.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_V"></a><h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<br> + +<h3>TAMING A SPY</h3> + +<p>Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation. It fairly permeated his +system. The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the +greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived +him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum +into their hands. Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned +toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of +mood—that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although +the spy might take a different view of the matter. The triumph, and +the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery +speech.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend," he said. "You are surprised that +we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with +us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then +proved too swift for Tayoga. That's a little matter we must look into +some time soon. I don't understand why you wished me to leave the +world prematurely. It must surely have been in the interest of someone +else, because I had never heard of you before in my life. But we'll +pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to +the fore. It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the +middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, +and wait for us to come. It reflects little credit, however, on your +skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we're not +going to let you stay out in the forest after dark."</p> + +<p>Garay turned a frightened look upon him. It was mention of the +bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul. But Robert, +ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him.</p> + +<p>"As I told you," he continued, "Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy +with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone. We saw you going +to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your +way back. We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you +in merciless fashion. What he intends to do with you is more than I've +been able to determine. Ah, he comes now!"</p> + +<p>The parting bushes disclosed a tall figure, rifle ready, and Robert +called cheerily:</p> + +<p>"Here we are, Dave, back again, and we bring with us a welcome guest. +Monsieur Achille Garay was lost in the forest, and, taking pity on +him, we've brought him in to share our hospitality. Mr. David Willet, +Monsieur Achille Garay of everywhere."</p> + +<p>Willet smiled grimly and led the way back to the spruce shelter. To +Garay's frightened eyes he bore out fully Robert's description.</p> + +<p>"You lads seem to have taken him without trouble," he said. "You've +done well. Sit down, Garay, on that log; we've business with you."</p> + +<p>Garay obeyed.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the hunter, "what message did you take to St. Luc and the +French and Indian force?"</p> + +<p>The man was silent. Evidently he was gathering together the shreds of +his courage, as his back stiffened. Willet observed him shrewdly.</p> + +<p>"You don't choose to answer," he said. "Well, we'll find a way to make +you later on. But the message you carried was not so important as the +message you're taking back. It's about you, somewhere. Hand over the +dispatch."</p> + +<p>"I've no dispatch," said Garay sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you have! A man like you wouldn't be making such a long and +dangerous journey into the high mountains and back again for nothing. +Come, Garay, your letter!"</p> + +<p>The spy was silent.</p> + +<p>"Search him, lads!" said Willet.</p> + +<p>Garay recoiled, but when the hunter threatened him with his pistol +he submitted to the dextrous hands of Robert and Tayoga. They went +through all his pockets, and then they made him remove his clothing +piece by piece, while they thrust the points of their knives through +the lining for concealed documents. But the steel touched nothing. +Then they searched his heavy moccasins, and even pulled the soles +loose, but no papers were disclosed. There was nowhere else to look +and the capture had brought no reward.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't seem to have anything," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"He must have! He is bound to have!" said the hunter.</p> + +<p>"You have had your look," said Garay, a note of triumph showing in +his voice, "and you have failed. I bear no message because I am no +messenger. I am a Frenchman, it is true, but I have no part in this +war. I am not a soldier or a scout. You should let me go."</p> + +<p>"But that bullet in Albany."</p> + +<p>"I did not fire it. It was someone else. You have made a mistake."</p> + +<p>"We've made no mistake," said the hunter. "We know what you are. We +know, too, that a dispatch of great importance is about you somewhere. +It is foolish to think otherwise, and we mean to have it."</p> + +<p>"I carry no dispatch," repeated Garay in his sullen, obstinate tones.</p> + +<p>"We mean that you shall give it to us," said the hunter, "and soon you +will be glad to do so."</p> + +<p>Robert glanced at him, but Willet did not reveal his meaning. It was +impossible to tell what course he meant to take, and the two lads were +willing to let the event disclose itself. The same sardonic humor that +had taken possession of Robert seemed to lay hold of the older man +also.</p> + +<p>"Since you're to be our guest for a while, Monsieur Garay," he said, +"we'll give you our finest room. You'll sleep in the spruce shelter, +while we spread our blankets outside. But lest you do harm to +yourself, lest you take into your head some foolish notion to commit +suicide, we'll have to bind you. Tayoga can do it in such a manner +that the thongs will cause you no pain. You'll really admire his +wonderful skill."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga bound Garay securely with strips, cut from the prisoner's +own clothing, and they left him lying within the spruce shelter. At +dawn the next day Willet awoke the captive, who had fallen into a +troubled slumber.</p> + +<p>"Your letter," he said. "We want it."</p> + +<p>"I have no letter," replied Garay stubbornly.</p> + +<p>"We shall ask you for it once every two hours, and the time will come +when you'll be glad to give it to us."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the lads and said they would have the finest +breakfast in months to celebrate the good progress of their work.</p> + +<p>Robert built up a splendid fire, and, taking their time about it, they +broiled bear meat, strips of the deer they had killed and portions of +wild pigeon and the rare wild turkey. Varied odors, all appetizing, +and the keen, autumnal air gave them an appetite equal to anything. +Yet Willet lingered long, seeing that everything was exactly right +before he gave the word to partake, and then they remained yet +another good while over the feast, getting the utmost relish out of +everything. When they finally rose from their seats on the logs, two +hours had passed since Willet had awakened Garay and he went back to +him.</p> + +<p>"Your letter?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I have no letter," replied Garay, "but I'm very hungry. Let me have +my breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Your letter?"</p> + +<p>"I've told you again and again that I've no letter."</p> + +<p>"It's now about 8:30 o'clock; at half past ten I'll ask you for it +again."</p> + +<p>He went back to the two lads and helped them to put out the fire. +Garay set up a cry for food, and then began to threaten them with the +vengeance of the Indians, but they paid no attention to him. At half +past ten as indicated by the sun, Willet returned to him.</p> + +<p>"The letter?" he said.</p> + +<p>"How many times am I to tell you that I have no letter?"</p> + +<p>"Very well. At half past twelve I shall ask for it again."</p> + +<p>At half past twelve Garay returned the same answer, and then the +three ate their noonday meal, which, like the breakfast, was rich and +luscious. Once more the savory odors of bear, deer, wild turkey and +wild pigeon filled the forest, and Garay, lying in the doorway of the +hut, where he could see, and where the splendid aroma reached his +nostrils, writhed in his bonds, but still held fast to his resolution.</p> + +<p>Robert said nothing, but the sardonic humor of both the Onondaga and +the hunter was well to the fore. Holding a juicy bear steak in +his hand, Tayoga walked over to the helpless spy and examined him +critically.</p> + +<p>"Too fat," he said judicially, "much too fat for those who would roam +the forest. Woodsmen, scouts and runners should be lean. It burdens +them to carry weight. And you, Achille Garay, will be much better off, +if you drop twenty pounds."</p> + +<p>"Twenty pounds, Tayoga!" exclaimed Willet, who had joined him, a whole +roasted pigeon in his hands. "How can you make such an underestimate! +Our rotund Monsieur would be far more graceful and far more healthy +if he dropped forty pounds! And it behooves us, his trainers and +physicians, to see that he drops 'em. Then he will go back to Albany +and to his good friend, Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, a far handsomer man +than he was when he left. It may be that he'll be so much improved +that Mynheer Hendrik will not know him. Truly, Tayoga, this wild +pigeon has a most savory taste! When wild pigeon is well cooked and +the air of the forest has sharpened your appetite to a knife edge +nothing is finer."</p> + +<p>"But it is no better than the tender steak of young bear," said +Tayoga, with all the inflections of a gourmand. "The people of my +nation and of all the Indian nations have always loved bear. It is +tenderer even than venison and it contains more juices. For the hungry +man nothing is superior to the taste or for the building up of sinews +and muscles than the steak of fat young bear."</p> + +<p>Garay writhed again in his bonds, and closed his eyes that he might +shut away the vision of the two. Robert was forced to smile. At half +past two, as he judged it to be by the sun, Willet said to Garay once +more:</p> + +<p>"The papers, Monsieur Achille."</p> + +<p>But Garay, sullen and obstinate, refused to reply. The hunter did not +repeat the question then, but went back to the fire, whistling gayly a +light tune. The three were spending the day in homely toil, polishing +their weapons, cleaning their clothing, and making the numerous little +repairs, necessary after a prolonged and arduous campaign. They were +very cheerful about it, too. Why shouldn't they be? Both Tayoga and +the hunter had scouted in wide circles about the camp, and had seen +that there was no danger. For a vast distance they and their prisoner +were alone in the forest. So, they luxuriated and with abundance of +appetizing food made up for their long period of short commons.</p> + +<p>At half past four Willet repeated his question, but the lips of the +spy remained tightly closed.</p> + +<p>"Remember that I'm not urging you," said the hunter, politely. "I'm a +believer in personal independence and I like people to do what they +want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else. So I +tell you to think it over. We've plenty of time. We can stay here a +week, two weeks, if need be. We'd rather you felt sure you were right +before you made up your mind. Then you wouldn't be remorseful about +any mistake."</p> + +<p>"A wise man meditates long before he speaks," said Tayoga, "and it +follows then that our Achille Garay is very wise. He knows, too, that +his figure is improving already. He has lost at least five pounds."</p> + +<p>"Nearer eight I sum it up, Tayoga," said Willet. "The improvement is +very marked."</p> + +<p>"I think you are right, Great Bear. Eight it is and you also speak +truly about the improvement. If our Monsieur Garay were able to stand +up and walk he would be much more graceful than he was, when he so +kindly marched into our guiding hands."</p> + +<p>"Don't pay him too many compliments, Tayoga. They'll prove trying to +a modest man. Come away, now. Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next +two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon +such a communion?"</p> + +<p>"The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great +Bear. For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts."</p> + +<p>At half past six came the question, "Your papers?" once more, and +Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled. +Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads +prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild +grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes +being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to +the eye as well as to the taste.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have +in me just a trace of the epicure. I find, despite my years in the +wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of +decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands."</p> + +<p>"In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a +banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to +it that the eye also may have its feast. It is not a weakness, but an +excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations."</p> + +<p>They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the +fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation. The +ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter +came frequently to the ears of Garay. At half past eight the question, +grown deadly by repetition, was asked, and, when only a curse came, +Willet said:</p> + +<p>"As it is night I'll ask you, Achille Garay, for your papers only +once every four hours. That is the interval at which we'll change our +guard, and we don't wish, either, to disturb you many times in your +pleasant slumbers. It would not be right to call a man back too often +from the land of Tarenyawagon, who, you may know, is the Iroquois +sender of dreams."</p> + +<p>Garay, whom they had now laid tenderly upon the floor of the hut, +turned his face away, and Willet went back to the fire, humming in a +pleased fashion to himself. At half past twelve he awoke Garay from +his uneasy sleep and propounded to him his dreadful query, grown +terrifying by its continual iteration. At half past four Tayoga asked +it, and it was not necessary then to awake Garay. He had not slept +since half past twelve. He snarled at the Iroquois, and then sank back +on the blanket that they had kindly placed for him. Tayoga, his bronze +face expressing nothing, went back to his watch by the fire.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was cooked by Robert and Willet, and again it was luscious +and varied. Robert had risen early and he caught several of the fine +lake trout that he broiled delicately over the coals. He had +also gathered grapes fresh with the morning dew, and wonderfully +appetizing, and some of the best of the nuts were left over. Bear, +deer, venison and turkey they still had in abundance.</p> + +<p>The morning itself was the finest they had encountered so far. Much +snow had fallen in the high mountains, but winter had not touched the +earth here. The deep colors of the leaves, moved by the light wind, +shifted and changed like a prism. The glorious haze of Indian summer +hung over everything like a veil of finest gauze. The air was +surcharged with vitality and life. It was pleasant merely to sit and +breathe at such a time.</p> + +<p>"I've always claimed," said Robert, as he passed a beautifully broiled +trout to Tayoga and another to the hunter, "that I can cook fish +better than either of you. Dave, I freely admit, can surpass me in the +matter of venison and Tayoga is a finer hand with bear than I am, but +I'm a specialist with fish, be it salmon, or trout, or salmon trout, +or perch or pickerel or what not."</p> + +<p>"Your boast is justified, in very truth, Robert," said Willet. "I've +known none other who can prepare a fish with as much tenderness and +perfection as you. I suppose 'tis born in you, but you have a way of +preserving the juices and savors which defies description and which is +beyond praise. 'Tis worth going hungry a long while to put one's tooth +into so delicate a morsel as this salmon trout, and 'tis a great pity, +too, that our guest, Monsieur Achille Garay, will not join us, when +we've an abundance so great and a variety so rich."</p> + +<p>The wretched spy and intermediary could hear every word they said, and +Robert fell silent, but the hunter and the Onondaga talked freely and +with abounding zest.</p> + +<p>"'Tis a painful thing," said Willet, "to offer hospitality and to +have it refused. Monsieur Garay knows that he would be welcome at our +board, and yet he will not come. I fear, Robert, that you have cooked +too many of these superlative fish, and that they must even go to +waste, which is a sin. They would make an admirable beginning for our +guest's breakfast, if he would but consent to join us."</p> + +<p>"It is told by the wise old sachems of the great League," said Tayoga, +"that warriors have gone many days without food, when plenty of it +was ready for their taking, merely to test their strength of body and +will. Their sufferings were acute and terrible. Their flesh wasted +away, their muscles became limp and weak, their sight failed, pain +stabbed them with a thousand needles, but they would not yield and +touch sustenance before the time appointed."</p> + +<p>"I've heard of many such cases, Tayoga, and I've seen some, but it was +always warriors who were doing the fasting. I doubt whether white men +could stand it so long, and 'tis quite sure they would suffer more. +About the third day 'twould be as bad as being tied to the stake in the +middle of the flames."</p> + +<p>"Great Bear speaks the truth, as he always does. No white man can +stand it. If he tried it his sufferings would be beyond anything of +which he might dream."</p> + +<p>A groan burst suddenly from the wretched Garay. The hunter and the +Onondaga looked at each other and their eyes expressed astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear a sound in the thicket?" asked Willet.</p> + +<p>"I think it came from the boughs overhead," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"I could have sworn 'twas the growl of a bear."</p> + +<p>"To me it sounded like the croak of a crow."</p> + +<p>"After all, we may have heard nothing. Imagination plays strange +tricks with us."</p> + +<p>"It is true, Great Bear. We hear queer sounds when there are no sounds +at all. The air is full of spirits, and now and then they have sport +with us."</p> + +<p>A second groan burst from Garay, now more wretched than ever.</p> + +<p>"I heard it again!" exclaimed the hunter. "'Tis surely the growl of +a bear in the bush! The sound was like that of an angry wild animal! +But, we'll let it go. The sun tells meet's half past eight o'clock and +I go to ask our guest the usual question."</p> + +<p>"Enough!" exclaimed Garay. "I yield! I cannot bear this any longer!"</p> + +<p>"Your papers, please!"</p> + +<p>"Unbind me and give me food!"</p> + +<p>"Your papers first, our fish next."</p> + +<p>As he spoke the hunter leaned over, and with his keen hunting knife +severed Garay's bonds. The man sat up, rubbed his wrists and ankles +and breathed deeply.</p> + +<p>"Your papers!" repeated Willet.</p> + +<p>"Bring me my pistol, the one that the Indian filched from me while I +slept," said Garay.</p> + +<p>"Your pistol!" exclaimed the hunter, in surprise. "Now I'd certainly +be foolish to hand you a deadly and loaded weapon!"</p> + +<p>But Robert's quick intellect comprehended at once. He snatched the +heavy pistol from the Onondaga's belt, drew forth the bullet and then +drew the charge behind it, not powder at all, but a small, tightly +folded paper of tough tissue, which he held aloft triumphantly.</p> + +<p>"Very clever! very clever!" said Willet in admiration. "The pistol was +loaded, but 'twould never be fired, and nobody would have thought of +searching its barrel. Tayoga, give Monsieur Garay the two spare fish +and anything else he wants, but see that he eats sparingly because a +gorge will go ill with a famished man, and then we'll have a look at +his precious document."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga treated Garay as the honored guest they had been calling +him, giving him the whole variety of their breakfast, but, at guarded +intervals, which allowed him to relish to the full all the savors and +juices that had been taunting him so long. Willet opened the letter, +smoothed it out carefully on his knee, and holding it up to the light +until the words stood out clearly, read:</p> + +<p>"To Hendrik Martinus At Albany.</p> + +<p>"The intermediary of whom you know, the bearer of this letter, has +brought me word from you that the English Colonial troops, after the +unfortunate battle at Lake George, have not pushed their victory. He +also informs us that the governors of the English colonies do not +agree, and that there is much ill feeling among the different Colonial +forces. He says that Johnson still suffering from his wound, does not +move, and that the spirit has gone out of our enemies. All of which is +welcome news to us at this juncture, since it has given to us the time +that we need.</p> + +<p>"Our defeat but incites us to greater efforts. The Indian tribes who +have cast their lot with us are loyal to our arms. All the forces of +France and New France are being assembled to crush our foes. We have +lost Dieskau, but a great soldier, Louis Joseph de Saint Véran, the +Marquis de Montcalm-Gozon, is coming from France to lead our armies. +He will be assisted by the incomparable chieftains, the Chevalier de +Levis, the Chevalier Bourlamaque and others who understand the warfare +of the wilderness. Even now we are preparing to move with a great +power on Albany and we may surprise the town.</p> + +<p>"Tell those of whom you know in Albany and New York to be ready with +rifles and ammunition and other presents for the Indian warriors. Much +depends upon their skill and promptness in delivering these valuable +goods to the tribes. It seals them to our standard. They can be landed +at the places of which we know, and then be carried swiftly across the +wilderness. But I bid you once more to exercise exceeding caution. Let +no name of those associated with us ever be entrusted to writing, as a +single slip might bring our whole fabric crashing to the ground, and +send to death those who serve us. After you have perused this letter +destroy it. Do not tear it in pieces and throw them away but burn it +to the last and least little fragment. In conclusion I say yet again, +caution, caution, caution.</p> + +<p>Raymond Louis de St. Luc."</p> + +<p>The three looked at one another. Garay was in the third course of his +breakfast, and no longer took notice of anything else.</p> + +<p>"Those associated with us in Albany and New York," quoted Willet. "Now +I wonder who they are. I might make a shrewd guess at one, but no +names are given and as we have no proof we must keep silent about him +for the present. Yet this paper is of vast importance and it must be +put in hands that know how to value it."</p> + +<p>"Then the hands must be those of Colonel William Johnson," said +Robert.</p> + +<p>"I fancy you're right, lad. Yet 'tis hard just now to decide upon the +wisest policy."</p> + +<p>"The colonel is the real leader of our forces," persisted the lad. +"It's to him that we must go."</p> + +<p>"It looks so, Robert, but for a few days we've got to consider +ourselves. Now that we have his letter I wish we didn't have Garay."</p> + +<p>"You wouldn't really have starved him, would you, Dave? Somehow it +seemed pretty hard."</p> + +<p>The hunter laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart, lad," he replied. "Don't you be troubled about the +way we dealt with Garay. I knew all the while that he would never get +to the starving point, or I wouldn't have tried it with him. I knew by +looking at him that his isn't the fiber of which martyrs are made. I +calculated that he would give up last night or this morning."</p> + +<p>"Are we going to take him back with us a prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"That's the trouble. As a spy, which he undoubtedly is, his life is +forfeit, but we are not executioners. For scouts and messengers such +as we are he'd be a tremendous burden to take along with us. Moreover, +I think that after his long fast he'd eat all the game we could kill, +and we don't propose to spend our whole time feeding one of our +enemies."</p> + +<p>"Call Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga came and then young Lennox said to his two comrades:</p> + +<p>"Are you willing to trust me in the matter of Garay, our prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," they replied together.</p> + +<p>Robert went to the man, who was still immersed in his gross feeding, +and tapped him on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Garay," he said. "You're the bearer of secret and treacherous +dispatches, and you're a spy. You must know that under all the rules +of war your life is forfeit to your captors."</p> + +<p>Garay's face became gray and ghastly.</p> + +<p>"You—you wouldn't murder me?" he said.</p> + +<p>"There could be no such thing as murder in your case, and we won't +take your life, either."</p> + +<p>The face of the intermediary recovered its lost color.</p> + +<p>"You will spare me, then?" he exclaimed joyfully.</p> + +<p>"In a way, yes, but we're not going to carry you back in luxury to +Albany, nor are we thinking of making you an honored member of our +band. You've quite a time before you."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you."</p> + +<p>"You will soon. You're going back to the Chevalier de St. Luc who has +little patience with failure, and you'll find that the road to him +abounds in hard traveling. It may be, too, that the savage Tandakora +will ask you some difficult questions, but if so, Monsieur Achille +Garay, it will be your task to answer them, and I take it that you +have a fertile mind. In any event, you will be equipped to meet him by +your journey, which will be full of variety and effort and which will +strengthen and harden your mind."</p> + +<p>The face of Garay paled again, and he gazed at Robert in a sort of +dazed fashion. The imagination of young Lennox was alive and leaping. +He had found what seemed to him a happy solution of a knotty problem, +and, as usual in such cases, his speech became fluent and golden.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll enjoy it, Monsieur Achille Garay," he said in his mellow, +persuasive voice. "The forest is beautiful at this time of the year +and the mountains are so magnificent always that they must appeal to +anyone who has in his soul the strain of poetry that I know you have. +The snow, too, I think has gone from the higher peaks and ridges and +you will not be troubled by extreme cold. If you should wander from +the path back to St. Luc you will have abundant leisure in which to +find it again, because for quite a while to come time will be of no +importance to you. And as you'll go unarmed, you'll be in no danger of +shooting your friends by mistake."</p> + +<p>"You're not going to turn me into the wilderness to starve?"</p> + +<p>"Not at all. We'll give you plenty of food. Tayoga and I will see you +well on your way. Now, since you've eaten enough, you start at once."</p> + +<p>Tayoga and the hunter fell in readily with Robert's plan. The captive +received enough food to last four days, which he carried in a pack +fastened on his back, and then Robert and Tayoga accompanied him +northward and back on the trail.</p> + +<p>Much of Garay's courage returned as they marched steadily on through +the forest. When he summed it up he found that he had fared well. His +captors had really been soft-hearted. It was not usual for one serving +as an intermediary and spy like himself to escape, when taken, with +his life and even with freedom. Life! How precious it was! Young +Lennox had said that the forest was beautiful, and it was! It was +splendid, grand, glorious to one who had just come out of the jaws of +death, and the air of late autumn was instinct with vitality. He drew +himself up jauntily, and his step became strong and springy.</p> + +<p>They walked on many miles and Robert, whose speech had been so fluent +before, was silent now. Nor did the Onondaga speak either. Garay +himself hazarded a few words, but meeting with no response his spirits +fell a little. The trail led over a low ridge, and at its crest his +two guards stopped.</p> + +<p>"Here we bid you farewell, Monsieur Achille Garay," said Robert. +"Doubtless you will wish to commune with your own thoughts and our +presence will no longer disturb you. Our parting advice to you is to +give up the trade in which you have been engaged. It is full perilous, +and it may be cut short at any time by sudden death. Moreover, it is +somewhat bare of honor, and even if it should be crowned by continued +success 'tis success of a kind that's of little value. Farewell."</p> + +<p>"Farewell," said Garay, and almost before he could realize it, the two +figures had melted into the forest behind him. A weight was lifted +from him with their going, and once more his spirits bounded upward. +He was Achille Garay, bold and venturesome, and although he was +without weapons he did not fear two lads.</p> + +<p>Three miles farther on he turned. He did not care to face St. Luc, his +letter lost, and the curious, dogged obstinacy that lay at the back of +his character prevailed. He would go back. He would reach those for +whom his letter had been intended, Martinus and the others, and he +would win the rich rewards that had been promised to him. He had +plenty of food, he would make a wide curve, advance at high speed and +get to Albany ahead of the foolish three.</p> + +<p>He turned his face southward and walked swiftly through the thickets. +A rifle cracked and a twig overhead severed by a bullet fell upon his +face. Garay shivered and stood still for a long time. Courage trickled +back, and he resumed his advance, though it was slow. A second rifle +cracked, and a bullet passed so close to his cheek that he felt its +wind. He could not restrain a cry of terror, and turning again he fled +northward to St. Luc.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VI"></a><h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<br> + +<h3>PUPILS OF THE BEAR</h3> + +<p>When Robert and Tayoga returned to the camp and told Willet what they +had done the hunter laughed a little.</p> + +<p>"Garay doesn't want to face St. Luc," he said, "but he will do it +anyhow. He won't dare to come back on the trail in face of bullets, +and now we're sure to deliver his letter in ample time."</p> + +<p>"Should we go direct to Albany?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>The hunter cupped his chin in his hand and meditated.</p> + +<p>"I'm all for Colonel Johnson," he replied at last. "He understands the +French and Indians and has more vigor than the authorities at Albany. +It seems likely to me that he will still be at the head of Lake George +where we left him, perhaps building the fort of which they were +talking before we left there."</p> + +<p>"His wound did not give promise of getting well so very early," said +Robert, "and he would not move while he was in a weakened condition."</p> + +<p>"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll +turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes +necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it."</p> + +<p>"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead +of Albany."</p> + +<p>They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a +journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake +that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought +that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had +passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him +to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain.</p> + +<p>They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a +wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before +the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band +traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also +found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga +examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest +over a pair uncommonly long and slender.</p> + +<p>"I think they're his," the hunter finally said.</p> + +<p>"So do I," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl."</p> + +<p>"It can be only the Owl."</p> + +<p>"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified.</p> + +<p>"The Owl is, in truth, a most dangerous man," replied the hunter. "His +name, which the Indians have given him, indicates he works by night, +though he's no sloth in the day, either. But he has another name, +also, the one by which he was christened. It's Charles Langlade, a +young Frenchman who was a trader before the war. I've seen him more +than once. He's mighty shrewd and alert, uncommon popular among the +western Indians, who consider him as one of them because he married a +good looking young Indian woman at Green Bay, and a great forester and +wilderness fighter. It's wonderful how the French adapt themselves to +the ways of the Indians and how they take wives among them. I suppose +the marriage tie is one of their greatest sources of strength with the +tribes. Now, Tayoga, why do you think the Owl is here so far to the +eastward of his usual range?"</p> + +<p>"He and his warriors are looking for scalps, Great Bear, and it may be +that they have seen St. Luc. They were traveling fast and they are now +between us and Andiatarocte. I like it but little."</p> + +<p>"Not any less than I do. It upsets our plans. We must leave the trail, +or like as not we'll run squarely into a big band. What a pity our +troops didn't press on after the victory at the lake. Instead of +driving the French and Indians out of the whole northern wilderness +we've left it entirely to them."</p> + +<p>They turned from the trail with reluctance, because, strong and +enduring as they were, incessant hardships, long traveling and battle +were beginning to tell upon all three, and they were unwilling to be +climbing again among the high mountains. But there was no choice and +night found them on a lofty ridge in a dense thicket. The hunter and +the Onondaga were disturbed visibly over the advent of Langlade, and +their uneasiness was soon communicated to the sympathetic mind of +Robert.</p> + +<p>The night being very clear, sown with shining stars, they saw rings of +smoke rising toward the east, and outlined sharply against the dusky +blue.</p> + +<p>"That's Langlade sending up signals," said the hunter, anxiously, "and +he wouldn't do it unless he had something to talk about."</p> + +<p>"When one man speaks another man answers," said Tayoga. "Now from what +point will come the reply?"</p> + +<p>Robert felt excitement. These rings of smoke in the blue were full +of significance for them, and the reply to the first signal would be +vital. "Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly. The answer came from the west, +directly behind them.</p> + +<p>"I think they've discovered our trail," said Willet. "They didn't +learn it from Garay, because Langlade passed before we sent him back, +but they might have heard from St. Luc or Tandakora that we were +somewhere in the forest. It's bad. If it weren't for the letter we +could turn sharply to the north and stay in the woods till Christmas, +if need be."</p> + +<p>"We may have to do so, whether we wish it or not," said Tayoga. "The +shortest way is not always the best."</p> + +<p>Before morning they saw other smoke signals in the south, and it +became quite evident then that the passage could not be tried, except +at a risk perhaps too great to take.</p> + +<p>"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust +to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find +Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain."</p> + +<p>At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they +saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last +lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared. It became +quite evident to their trained observation and the powers of inference +from circumstances which had become almost a sixth sense with them +that there was a vigorous pursuit, closing in from three points of the +compass, south, east and west. They slept again the next night in the +forest without fire and arose the following morning cold, stiff and +out of temper. While they eased their muscles and prepared for the +day's flight they resolved upon a desperate expedient.</p> + +<p>It was vital now to carry the letter to Johnson and then to Albany, +which they considered more important than their own escape, and they +could not afford to be driven farther and farther into the recesses of +the north, while St. Luc might be marching with a formidable force on +Albany itself.</p> + +<p>"With us it's unite to fight and divide for flight," said Robert, +divining what was in the mind of the others.</p> + +<p>"The decision is forced upon us," said Willet, regretfully.</p> + +<p>Tayoga nodded.</p> + +<p>"We'll read the letter again several times, until all of us know it by +heart," said the hunter.</p> + +<p>The precious document was produced, and they went over it until each +could repeat it from memory. Then Willet said:</p> + +<p>"I'm the oldest and I'll take the letter and go south past their +bands. One can slip through where three can't."</p> + +<p>He spoke with such decision that the others, although Tayoga wanted +the task of risk and honor, said nothing.</p> + +<p>"And do you, Robert and Tayoga," resumed the hunter, "continue your +flight to the northward. You can keep ahead of these bands, and, when +you discover the chase has stopped, curve back for Lake George. If by +any chance I should fall by the way, though it's not likely, you can +repeat the letter to Colonel Johnson, and let's hope you'll be in +time. Now good-by, and God bless you both."</p> + +<p>Willet never displayed emotion, but his feeling was very deep as he +wrung the outstretched hand of each. Then he turned at an angle to the +east and south and disappeared in the undergrowth.</p> + +<p>"He has been more than a father to me," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a man, a man who is pleasing to Areskoui himself," +said Tayoga with emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he will get safely through?"</p> + +<p>"There is no warrior, not even of the Clan of the Bear, of the Nation +Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who can surpass the +Great Bear in forest skill and cunning. In the night he will creep by +Tandakora himself, with such stealth, that not a leaf will stir, and +there will be not the slightest whisper in the grass. His step, too, +will be so light that his trail will be no more than a bird's in the +air."</p> + +<p>Robert laughed and felt better.</p> + +<p>"You don't stint the praise of a friend, Tayoga," he said, "but I know +that at least three-fourths of what you say is true. Now, I take it +that you and I are to play the hare to Langlade's hounds, and that in +doing so we'll be of great help to Dave."</p> + +<p>"Aye," agreed the Onondaga, and they swung into their gait. Robert had +received Garay's pistol which, being of the same bore as his own, was +now loaded with bullet and powder, instead of bullet and paper, and it +swung at his belt, while Tayoga carried the intermediary's rifle, a +fine piece. It made an extra burden, but they had been unwilling +to throw it away—a rifle was far too valuable on the border to be +abandoned.</p> + +<p>They maintained a good pace until noon, and, as they heard no sound +behind them, less experienced foresters than they might have thought +the pursuit had ceased, but they knew better. It had merely settled +into that tenacious kind which was a characteristic of the Indian +mind, and unless they could hide their trail it would continue in the +same determined manner for days. At noon, they paused a half hour in a +dense grove and ate bear and deer meat, sauced with some fine, black +wild grapes, the vines hanging thick on one of the trees.</p> + +<p>"Think of those splendid banquets we enjoyed when Garay was sitting +looking at us, though not sharing with us," said Robert.</p> + +<p>Tayoga smiled at the memory and said:</p> + +<p>"If he had been able to hold out a little longer he would have had +plenty of food, and we would not have had the letter. The Great Bear +would never have starved him."</p> + +<p>"I know that now, Tayoga, and I learn from it that we're to hold out +too, long after we think we're lost, if we're to be the victors."</p> + +<p>They came in the afternoon to a creek, flowing in their chosen course, +and despite the coldness of its waters, which rose almost to their +knees, they waded a long time in its bed. When they went out on the +bank they took off their leggings and moccasins, wrung or beat out of +them as much of the water as they could, and then let them dry for a +space in the sun, while they rubbed vigorously their ankles and feet +to create warmth. They knew that Langlade's men would follow on either +side of the creek until they picked up the trail again, but their +maneuver would create a long delay, and give them a rest needed badly.</p> + +<p>"Have you anything in mind, Tayoga?" asked Robert. "You know that the +farther north and higher we go the colder it will become, and our +flight may take us again into the very heart of a great snow storm."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga, but it is also so that I do have a plan. I think +I know the country into which we are coming, and that tells me what to +do. The people of my race, living from the beginning of the world in +the great forest, have not been too proud to learn from the animals, +and of all the animals we know perhaps the wisest is the bear."</p> + +<p>"The bear is scarcely an animal, Tayoga. He is almost a human being. +He has as good a sense of humor as we have, and he is more careful +about minding his own business, and letting alone that of other +people."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is not without wisdom. We will even learn from the bear. +A hundred miles to the north of us there is a vast rocky region +containing many caves, where the bears go in great numbers to sleep +the long winters through. It is not much disturbed, because it is +a dangerous country, lying between the Hodenosaunee and the Indian +nations to the north, with which we have been at war for centuries. +There we will go."</p> + +<p>"And hole up until our peril passes! Your plan appeals to me, Tayoga! +I will imitate the bear! I will even be a bear!"</p> + +<p>"We will take the home of one of them before he comes for it himself, +and we will do him no injustice, because the wise bear can always find +another somewhere else."</p> + +<p>"They're fine caves, of course!" exclaimed Robert, buoyantly, his +imagination, which was such a powerful asset with him, flaming up as +usual. "Dry and clean, with plenty of leaves for beds, and with nice +little natural shelves for food, and a pleasant little brook just +outside the door. It will be pleasant to lie in our own cave, the best +one of course, and hear the snow and sleet storms whistle by, while +we're warm and comfortable. If we only had complete assurance that +Dave was through with the letter I'd be willing to stay there until +spring."</p> + +<p>Tayoga smiled indulgently.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is always dreaming," he said, "but bright dreams hurt +nobody."</p> + +<p>When night came, they were many more miles on their way, but it was +a very cold darkness that fell upon them and they shivered in their +blankets. Robert made no complaint, but he longed for the caves, of +which he was making such splendid pictures. Shortly before morning, a +light snow fell and the dawn was chill and discouraging, so much so +that Tayoga risked a fire for the sake of brightness and warmth.</p> + +<p>"Langlade's men will come upon the coals we leave," he said, "but +since we have not shaken them off it will make no difference. How much +food have we left, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Not more than enough for three days."</p> + +<p>"Then it is for us to find more soon. It is another risk that we must +take. I wish I had with me now my bow and arrows which I left at the +lake, instead of Garay's rifle. But Areskoui will provide."</p> + +<p>The day turned much colder, and the streams to which they came were +frozen over. By night, the ice was thick enough to sustain their +weight and they traveled on it for a long time, their thick moosehide +moccasins keeping their feet warm, and saving them from falling. +Before they returned to the land it began to snow again, and Tayoga +rejoiced openly.</p> + +<p>"Now a white blanket will lie over the trail we have left on the ice," +he said, "hiding it from the keenest eyes that ever were in a man's +head."</p> + +<p>Then they crossed a ridge and came upon a lake, by the side of which +they saw through the snow and darkness a large fire burning. Creeping +nearer, they discerned dusky forms before the flames and made out a +band of at least twenty warriors, many of them sound asleep, wrapped +to the eyes in their blankets.</p> + +<p>"Have they passed ahead of us and are they here meaning to guard the +way against us?" whispered Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, it is not one of the bands that has been following us," replied +the Onondaga. "This is a war party going south, and not much stained +as yet by time and travel. They are Montagnais, come from Montreal. +They seek scalps, but not ours, because they do not know of us."</p> + +<p>Robert shuddered. These savages, like as not, would fall at midnight +upon some lone settlement, and his intense imagination depicted the +hideous scenes to follow.</p> + +<p>"Come away," he whispered. "Since they don't know anything about us +we'll keep them in ignorance. I'm longing more than ever for my warm +bear cave."</p> + +<p>They disappeared in the falling snow, which would soon hide their +trail here, as it had hidden it elsewhere, and left the lake behind +them, not stopping until they came to a deep and narrow gorge in the +mountains, so well sheltered by overhanging bushes that no snow fell +there. They raked up great quantities of dry leaves, after the usual +fashion, and spread their blankets upon them, poor enough quarters +save for the hardiest, but made endurable for them by custom and +intense weariness. Both fell asleep almost at once, and both awoke +about the same time far after dawn.</p> + +<p>Robert moved his stiff fingers in his blanket and sat up, feeling cold +and dismal. Tayoga was sitting up also, and the two looked at each +other.</p> + +<p>"In very truth those bear caves never seemed more inviting to me," +said young Lennox, solemnly, "and yet I only see them from afar."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga has fallen in love with bear caves," said the Onondaga, in +a whimsical tone. "The time is not so far back when he never talked +about them at all, and now words in their praise fall from his lips in +a stream."</p> + +<p>"It's because I've experienced enlightenment, Tayoga. It is only in +the last two or three days that I've learned the vast superiority of a +cave to any other form of human habitation. Our remote ancestors lived +in them two or three hundred thousand years, and we've been living in +houses of wood or brick or stone only six or seven thousand years, I +suppose, and so the cave, if you judge by the length of time, is our +true home. Hence I'm filled with a just enthusiasm at the thought of +going back speedily to the good old ways and the good old days. It's +possible, Tayoga, that our remote grandfathers knew best."</p> + +<p>"When Dagaeoga comes to his death bed, seventy or eighty years from +now, and the medicine man tells him but little more breath is left in +his body, what then do you think he will do?"</p> + +<p>"What will I do, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"You will say to the medicine man, 'Tell me exactly how long I have +to live,' and the medicine man will reply: 'Ten minutes, O Dagaeoga, +venerable chief and great orator.' Then you will say: 'Let all the +people be summoned and let them crowd into the wigwam in which I lie,' +and when they have all come and stand thick about your bed, you will +say, 'Now raise me into a sitting position and put the pillows thick +behind my back and head that I may lean against them.' Then you +will speak to the people. The words will flow from your lips in a +continuous and golden stream. It will be the finest speech of your +life. It will be filled with magnificent words, many of them, eight or +ten syllables long. It will be mellow like the call of a trumpet. It +will be armed with force, and it will be beautiful with imagery; it +will be suffused and charged with color, it will be the very essence +of poetry and power, and as the aged Dagaeoga draws his very last +breath so he will speak his very last word, and thus, in a golden +cloud, his soul will go away into infinite space, to dwell forever +in the bosom of Manitou, with the immortal sachems, Tododaho and +Hayowentha!"</p> + +<p>"Do you know, Tayoga, I think that would be a happy death," said +Robert earnestly.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Thus does Dagaeoga show his true nature," he said. "He was born with +the spirit and soul of the orator, and the fact is disclosed often. It +is well. The orator, be he white or red, will lose himself sometimes +in his own words, but he is a gift from the gods, sent to lift up the +souls, and cheer the rest of us. He is the bugle that calls us to the +chase and we must not forget that his value is great."</p> + +<p>"And having said a whole cargo of words yourself Tayoga, now what do +you propose that we do?"</p> + +<p>"Push on with all our strength for the caves. I know now we are on the +right path, because I recall the country through which we are passing. +At noon we will reach a small lake, in which the fish are so numerous +that there is not room for them all at the same time in the water. +They have to take turns in getting the air above the surface on top of +the others. For that reason the fish of this lake are different from +all other fish. They will live a full hour on the bank after they are +caught."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, in very truth, you've learned our ways well. You've become a +prince of romancers yourself."</p> + +<p>At the appointed time they reached the lake. There were no fish above +its surface, but the Onondaga claimed it was due to the fact that the +lake was covered with ice which of course kept them down, and which +crowded them excessively, and very uncomfortably. They broke two big +holes in the ice, let down the lines which they always carried, the +hooks baited with fragments of meat, and were soon rewarded with +splendid fish, as much as they needed.</p> + +<p>Tayoga with his usual skill lighted a fire, despite the driving snow, +and they had a banquet, taking with them afterward a supply of the +cooked fish, though they knew they could not rely upon fish alone in +the winter days that were coming. But fortune was with them. Before +dark, Robert shot a deer, a great buck, fine and fat. They had so +little fear of pursuit now that they cut up the body, saving the skin +whole for tanning, and hung the pieces in the trees, there to +freeze. Although it would make quite a burden they intended to carry +practically all of it with them.</p> + +<p>Many mountain wolves were drawn that night by the odor of the spoils, +but they lay between twin fires and had no fear of an attack. Yet the +time might come when they would be assailed by fierce wild animals, +and now they were glad that Tayoga had kept Garay's rifle, and also +his ammunition, a good supply of powder and bullets. It was possible +that the question of ammunition might become vital with them, but they +did not yet talk of it.</p> + +<p>On the second day thereafter, bearing their burdens of what had been +the deer, they reached the stony valley Tayoga had in mind, and Robert +saw at once that its formation indicated many caves.</p> + +<p>"Now, I wonder if the bears have come," he said, putting down his pack +and resting. "The cold has been premature and perhaps they're still +roaming through the forest. I shouldn't want to put an interloper out +of my own particular cave, but, if I have to do it, I will."</p> + +<p>"The bears haven't arrived yet," said Tayoga, "and we can choose. I do +not know, but I do not think a bear always occupies the same winter +home, so we will not have to fight over our place."</p> + +<p>It was a really wonderful valley, where the decaying stone had made a +rich assortment of small caves, many of them showing signs of former +occupancy by large wild animals, and, after long searching, they found +one that they could make habitable for themselves. Its entrance was +several feet above the floor of the valley, so that neither storm nor +winter flood could send water into it, and its own floor was fairly +smooth, with a roof eight or ten feet high. It could be easily +defended with their three rifles, the aperture being narrow, and they +expected, with skins and pelts, to make it warm.</p> + +<p>It was but a cold and bleak refuge for all save the hardiest, and +for a little while Robert had to use his last ounce of will to save +himself from discouragement. But vigorous exertion and keen interest +in the future brought back his optimism. The hide of the deer they had +slain was spread at once upon the cave floor and made a serviceable +rug. They spoke hopefully of soon adding to it.</p> + +<p>A brook flowed less than a hundred yards away, and they would have +no trouble about their water supply, while the country about seemed +highly favorable for game. But on their first day there they did not +do any hunting. They rolled several large stones before the door of +their new home, making it secure against any prying wild animals, and +then, after a hearty meal, they wrapped themselves in their blankets +and slept prodigiously.</p> + +<p>Tayoga went into the forest the next day and set traps and snares, +while Robert worked in the valley, breaking up fallen wood to be used +for fires, and doing other chores. The Onondaga in the next three or +four days shot a large panther, a little bear, and caught in the traps +and snares a quantity of small game. The big pelts and the little +pelts, after proper treatment, were spread upon the floor or hung +against the walls of the cave, which now began to assume a much more +inviting aspect, and the flesh of the animals that were eatable, cured +after the primitive but effective processes, was stored there also.</p> + +<p>Providence granted them a period of good weather, days and nights +alike being clear and cold. The game, evidently not molested for a +long time, fairly walked into their traps, and they were compelled to +draw but little upon their precious supply of ammunition. Food for the +future accumulated rapidly, and the floor and walls of the cave were +soon covered entirely with furs.</p> + +<p>Not one of the numerous caves and hollows about them contained an +occupant and Robert wondered if their presence would frighten away the +wild animals, so many of which had hibernated there so often. Yet he +had a belief that the bears would come. His present mode of life and +his isolation from the world gave him a feeling almost of kinship with +them, and in some strange way, and through some medium unknown to him, +they might reciprocate. He and Tayoga had killed several bears, it was +true, but far from the cave, and they made up their minds to molest +nothing in the valley or just about it.</p> + +<p>It was a land of many waters and they caught with ease numerous fish, +drying all the surplus and storing it with the other food in the cave. +They also made soft beds for themselves of the little branches of the +evergreen, over which they spread their blankets, and when they rolled +the stone before the doorway at night they never failed to sleep +soundly.</p> + +<p>They did their cooking in front of the cave door, but it was always +a smothered fire. While they felt safe from wandering bands in that +lofty and remote region, they took no unnecessary risks. The valley +itself, though deep, was much broken up into separate little valleys, +and most of the caves were hidden from their own. It was this fact +that made Robert still think the bears would come, despite coals and +flame. In the evenings they would talk of Willet, and both were firm +in the opinion that the hunter had got through to Lake George and that +Johnson and Albany had been warned in time. Each was confirmed in his +opinion by the other and in a few days it became certainty.</p> + +<p>"I think Tododaho on his star whispered in my ear while I slept that +Great Bear has passed the hostile lines," said Tayoga with conviction, +"because I know it, just as if the Great Bear himself had told it to +me, though I do not know how I know it."</p> + +<p>"It's some sort of mysterious information," said Robert in the same +tone of absolute belief, "and I don't worry any more about Dave and +the letter. The men of the Hodenosaunee seem to have a special gift. +You know the old chief, Hendrik, foretold that he would die on the +shores of Andiatarocte, and it came to pass just as he had said."</p> + +<p>"It was a glorious death, Dagaeoga, and it was, perhaps, he who saved +our army, and made the victory possible."</p> + +<p>"So it was. There's not a doubt of it, but, here, I don't feel much +like taking part in a war. The great struggle seems to have passed +around us for a while, at least. I appear to myself as a man of peace, +occupied wholly with the struggle for existence and with preparations +for a hard winter. I don't want to harm anything."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's because nothing we know of wants to harm us. But, +Dagaeoga, if the bears come at all they will come quickly, because in +a few days winter will be roaring down upon us."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, we must hurry our labors, and since the mysterious +message brought in some manner through the air has told us that Dave +has reached the lake, I'm rather anxious for it to rush down. While it +keeps us here it will also hold back the forces of St. Luc."</p> + +<p>"That's true, Dagaeoga. It's a poor snow that doesn't help somebody. +Now, I will make a bow and arrow to take the place of my great bow and +quiver, which await me elsewhere, because we must draw but little upon +our powder and bullets."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga had hatchet and knife and he worked with great rapidity +and skill, cutting and bending a bow in two or three days, and making +a string of strong sinews, after which he fashioned many arrows and +tipped them with sharp bone. Then he contemplated his handiwork with +pride.</p> + +<p>"Hasty work is never the best of work," he said, "and these are not as +good as those I left behind me, but I know they will serve. The game +here, hunted but little, is not very wary and I can approach near."</p> + +<p>His skill both in construction and use was soon proved, as he slew +with his new weapons a great moose, two ordinary deer, and much +smaller game, while the traps caught beaver, otter, fox, wolf and +other animals, with fine pelts. Many splendid furs were soon drying +in the air and were taken later into the cave, while they accumulated +dried and jerked game enough to last them until the next spring.</p> + +<p>Both worked night and day with such application and intensity that +their hands became stiff and sore, and every bone in them ached. +Nevertheless Robert took time now and then to examine the little caves +in the other sections of the valley, only to find them still empty. +He thought, for a while, that the presence of Tayoga and himself and +their operations with the game might have frightened the bears away, +but the feeling that they would come returned and was strong upon him. +As for Tayoga he never doubted. It had been decreed by Tododaho.</p> + +<p>"The animals have souls," he said. "Often when great warriors die or +fall in battle their souls go into the bodies of bear, or deer, or +wolf, but oftenest into that of bear. For that reason the bear, saving +only the dog which lives with us, is nearest to man, and now and then, +because of the warrior soul in him, he is a man himself, although +he walks on four legs—and he does not always walk on four legs, +sometimes he stands on two. Doubt not, Dagaeoga, that when the stormy +winter sweeps down the bears will come to their ancient homes, whether +or not we be here."</p> + +<p>The winds grew increasingly chill, coming from the vast lakes beyond +the Great Lakes, those that lay in the far Canadian north, and the +skies were invariably leaden in hue and gloomy. But in the cave it +was cozy and warm. Furs and skins were so numerous that there was no +longer room on the floor and walls for them all, many being stored in +glossy heaps in the corners.</p> + +<p>"Some day these will bring a good price from the Dutch traders at +Albany," said Robert, "and it may be, Tayoga, that you and I will need +the money. I've been a scout and warrior for a long time, and now +I've suddenly turned fur hunter. Well, that spirit of peace and of a +friendly feeling toward all mankind grows upon me. Why shouldn't I be +full of brotherly love when your patron saint, Tododaho, has been so +kind to us?"</p> + +<p>He swept the cave once more with a glance of approval. It furnished +shelter, warmth, food in abundance, and with its furs even a certain +velvety richness for the eye, and Tayoga nodded assent. Meanwhile they +waited for the fierce blasts of the mountain winter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE SLEEPING SENTINELS</h3> + +<p>A singular day came when it seemed to Robert that the wind alternately +blew hot and cold, at least by contrast, and the deep, leaden skies +were suffused with a peculiar mist that made him see all objects in +a distorted fashion. Everything was out of proportion. Some were +too large and some too small. Either the world was awry or his own +faculties had become discolored and disjointed. While his interest in +his daily toil decreased and his thoughts were vague and distant, +his curiosity, nevertheless, was keen and concentrated. He knew that +something unusual was going to happen and nature was preparing him for +it.</p> + +<p>The occult quality in the air did not depart with the coming of night, +though the winds no longer alternated, the warm blasts ceasing to +blow, while the cold came steadily and with increasing fierceness. Yet +it was warm and close in the cave, and the two went outside for air, +wandering up the face of the ridge that enclosed the northern side +of their particular valley in the chain of little valleys. Upon the +summit they stood erect, and the face of Tayoga became rapt like +that of a seer. When Robert looked at him his own blood tingled. The +Onondaga shut his eyes, and he spoke not so much to Robert as to the +air itself:</p> + +<p>"O Tododaho," he said, "when mine eyes are open I do not see you +because of the vast clouds that Manitou has heaped between, but when I +close them the inner light makes me behold you sitting upon your star +and looking down with kindness upon this, the humblest and least of +your servants. O Tododaho, you have given my valiant comrade and +myself a safe home in the wilderness in our great need, and I beseech +you that you will always hold your protecting shield between us and +our enemies."</p> + +<p>He paused, his eyes still closed, and stood tense and erect, the north +wind blowing on his face. A shiver ran through Robert, not a shiver of +fear, but a shiver caused by the mysterious and the unknown. His own +eyes were open, and he gazed steadily into the northern heavens. +The occult quality in the air deepened, and now his nerves began to +tingle. His soul thrilled with a coming event. Suddenly the deep, +leaden clouds parted for a few moments, and in the clear space between +he could have sworn that he saw a great dancing star, from which a +mighty, benevolent face looked down upon them.</p> + +<p>"I saw him! I saw him!" he exclaimed in excitement. "It was Tododaho +himself!"</p> + +<p>"I did not see him with my eyes, but I saw him with my soul," said the +Onondaga, opening his eyes, "and he whispered to me that his favor was +with us. We cannot fail in what we wish to do."</p> + +<p>"Look in the next valley, Tayoga. What do you behold now?"</p> + +<p>"It is the bears, Dagaeoga. They come to their long winter sleep."</p> + +<p>Rolling figures, enlarged and fantastic, emerged from the mist. Robert +saw great, red eyes, sharp teeth and claws, and yet he felt neither +fear nor hostility. Tayoga's statement that they were bears, into +which the souls of great warriors had gone, was strong in his mind, +and he believed. They looked up at him, but they did not pause, moving +on to the little caves.</p> + +<p>"They see us," he said.</p> + +<p>"So they do," said Tayoga, "but they do not fear us. The spirits of +mighty warriors look out of their eyes at us, and knowing that they +were once as we are they know also that we will not harm them."</p> + +<p>"Have you ever seen the like of this before, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"No! But a few of the old men of the Hodenosaunee have told of their +grandfathers who have seen it. I think it is a mark of favor to us +that we are permitted to behold such a sight. Now I am sure Tododaho +has looked upon us with great approval. Lo, Dagaeoga, more of them +come out of the mist! Before morning every cave, save those in our own +little corner of the valley, will be filled. All of them gaze up at +us, recognize us as friends and pass on. It is a wonderful sight, +Dagaeoga, and we shall never look upon its like again."</p> + +<p>"No," said Robert, as the extraordinary thrill ran through him once +more. "Now they have gone into their caves, and I believe with you, +Tayoga, that the souls of great warriors truly inhabit the bodies of +the bears."</p> + +<p>"And since they are snugly in their homes, ready for the long winter +sleep, lo! the great snow comes, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>A heavy flake fell on Robert's upturned face, and then another and +another. The circling clouds, thick and leaden, were beginning to pour +down their burden, and the two retreated swiftly to their own dry and +well furnished cave. Then they rolled the great stones before the +door, and Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"Now, we will imitate our friends, the bears, and take a long winter +sleep."</p> + +<p>Both were soon slumbering soundly in their blankets and furs, and all +that night and all the next day the snow fell on the high mountains in +the heart of which they lay. There was no wind, and it came straight +down, making an even depth on ridge, slope and valley. It blotted out +the mouths of the caves, and it clothed all the forest in deep white. +Robert and Tayoga were but two motes, lost in the vast wilderness, +which had returned to its primeval state, and the Indians themselves, +whether hostile or friendly, sought their villages and lodges and were +willing to leave the war trail untrodden until the months of storm and +bitter cold had passed.</p> + +<p>Robert slept heavily. His labors in preparation for the winter had +been severe and unremitting, and his nerves had been keyed very high +by the arrival of the bears and the singular quality in the air. Now, +nature claimed her toll, and he did not awake until nearly noon, +Tayoga having preceded him a half hour. The Onondaga stood at the door +of the cave, looking over the stones that closed its lower half. Fresh +air poured in at the upper half, but Robert saw there only a whitish +veil like a foaming waterfall.</p> + +<p>"The time o' day, Sir Tayoga, Knight of the Great Forest," he said +lightly and cheerfully.</p> + +<p>"There is no sun to tell me," replied the Onondaga. "The face of +Areskoui will be hidden long, but I know that at least half the day is +gone. The flakes make a thick and heavy white veil, through which +I cannot see, and great as are the snows every winter on the high +mountains, this will be the greatest of them all."</p> + +<p>"And we've come into our lair. And a mighty fine lair it is, too. I +seem to adapt myself to such a place, Tayoga. In truth, I feel like +a bear myself. You say that the souls of warriors have gone into the +bears about us, and it may be that the soul of a bear has come into +me."</p> + +<p>"It may be," said Tayoga, gravely. "It is at least a wise thought, +since, for a while, we must live like bears."</p> + +<p>Robert would have chafed, any other time, at a stay that amounted to +imprisonment, but peace and shelter were too welcome now to let him +complain. Moreover, there were many little but important house-hold +duties to do. They made needles of bone, and threads of sinew and +repaired their clothing. Tayoga had stored suitable wood and bone and +he turned out arrow after arrow. He also made another bow, and Robert, +by assiduous practice, acquired sufficient skill to help in these +tasks. They did not drive themselves now, but the hours being filled +with useful and interesting labor, they were content to wait.</p> + +<p>For three or four days, while the snow still fell, they ate cold food, +but when the clouds at last floated away, and the air was free from +the flakes, they went outside and by great effort—the snow being four +or five feet deep—cleared a small space near the entrance, where they +cooked a good dinner from their stores and enjoyed it extravagantly. +Meanwhile the days passed. Robert was impatient at times, but never a +long while. If the mental weariness of waiting came to him he plunged +at once into the tasks of the day.</p> + +<p>There was plenty to do, although they had prepared themselves so well +before the great snowfall came. They made rude shovels of wood and +enlarged the space they had cleared of snow. Here, they fitted stones +together, until they had a sort of rough furnace which, crude though +it was, helped them greatly with their cooking. They also pulled more +brushwood from under the snow, and by its use saved the store they +had heaped up for impossible days. Then, by continued use of the bone +needles and sinews, they managed to make cloaks for themselves of the +bearskins. They were rather shapeless garments, and they had little of +beauty save in the rich fur itself, but they were wonderfully warm and +that was what they wanted most.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, after a while, began slow and painstaking work on a pair of +snowshoes, expecting to devote many days to the task.</p> + +<p>"The snow is so deep we cannot pass through it," he said, "but I, at +least, will pass upon it. I cannot get the best materials, but what I +have will serve. I shall not go far, but I want to explore the country +about us."</p> + +<p>Robert thought it a good plan, and helped as well as he could with the +work. They still stayed outdoors as much as possible, but the cold +became intense, the temperature going almost to forty degrees below +zero, the surface of the snow freezing and the boughs of the big +trees about the valley becoming so brittle that they broke with sharp +crashes beneath the weight of accumulated snow. Then they paused long +enough in the work on the snowshoes to make themselves gloves of +buckskin, which were a wonderful help, as they labored in the fresh +air. Ear muffs and caps of bearskin followed.</p> + +<p>"I feel some reluctance about using bearskin so much," said Robert, +"since the bears about us are inhabited by the souls of great warriors +and are our friends."</p> + +<p>"But the bears that we killed did not belong here," said Tayoga, "and +were bears and nothing more. It was right for us to slay them because +the bear was sent by Manitou to be a support for the Indian with his +flesh and his pelt."</p> + +<p>"But how do you know that the bears we killed were just bears and +bears only?"</p> + +<p>"Because, if they had not been we would not have killed them."</p> + +<p>Thus were the qualms of young Lennox quieted and he used his bearskin +cap, gloves and cloak without further scruple. The snowshoes were +completed and Tayoga announced that he would start early the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"I may be gone three or four days, Dagaeoga," he said, "but I will +surely return. I shall avoid danger, and do you be careful also."</p> + +<p>"Don't fear for me," said Robert. "I'm not likely to go farther than +the brook, since there's no great sport in breaking your way through +snow that comes to your waist, and which, moreover, is covered with a +thick sheet of ice. Don't trouble your mind about me, Tayoga, I won't +roam from home."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga took his weapons, a supply of food, and departed, +skimming over the snow with wonderful, flying strokes, while Robert +settled down to lonely waiting. It was a hard duty, but he again found +solace in work, and at intervals he contemplated the mouths of the +bears' caves, now almost hidden by the snow. Tayoga's belief was +strong upon him, for the time, and he concluded that the warriors +who inhabited the bodies of the bears must be having some long and +wonderful dreams. At least, they had plenty of time to dream in, and +it was an extraordinary provision of nature that gave them such a +tremendous sleep.</p> + +<p>Tayoga returned in four days, and Robert, who had more than enough of +being alone, welcomed him with hospitable words to a fire and a feast.</p> + +<p>"I must first put away my spoils," said the Onondaga, his dark eyes +glittering.</p> + +<p>"Spoils! What spoils, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Powder and lead," he replied, taking a heavy bundle wrapped in +deerskin from beneath his bearskin overcoat. "It weighs a full fifty +pounds, and it made my return journey very wearisome. Catch it, +Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>Robert caught, and he saw that it was, in truth, powder and lead.</p> + +<p>"Now, where did you get this?" he exclaimed. "You couldn't have gone +to any settlement!"</p> + +<p>"There is no settlement to go to. I made our enemies furnish the +powder and lead we need so much, and that is surely the cheapest way. +Listen, Dagaeoga. I remembered that to the east of us, about two days' +journey, was a long valley sheltered well and warm, in which Indians +who fight the Hodenosaunee often camp. I thought it likely they would +be there in such a winter as this, and that I might take from them in +the night the powder and lead we need so much.</p> + +<p>"I was right. The savages were there, and with them a white man, a +Frenchman, that Charles Langlade, called the Owl, from whom we fled. +They had an abundance of all things, and they were waxing fat, until +they could take the war path in the spring. Then, Dagaeoga, I played +the fox. At night, when they dreamed of no danger, I entered their +biggest lodges, passing as one of them, and came away with the powder +and lead."</p> + +<p>"It was a great feat, Tayoga, but are you sure none of them will trail +you here?"</p> + +<p>"The surface of the snow and ice melts a little in the noonday sun, +enough to efface all trace of the snowshoes, and my trail is no more +than that made by a bird in its flight through the air. Nor can we be +followed here while we are guarded by the bears, who sleep, but who, +nevertheless, are sentinels."</p> + +<p>Tayoga took off his snowshoes, and sank upon a heap of furs in the +cave, while Robert brought him food and inspected the great prize of +ammunition he had brought. The package contained a dozen huge horns +filled with powder, and many small bars of lead, the latter having +made the weight which had proved such a severe trial to the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Here's enough of both lead and powder to last us throughout the +winter, whatever may happen," said Robert in a tone of intense +satisfaction. "Tayoga, you're certainly a master freebooter. You +couldn't have made a more useful capture."</p> + +<p>Each, after the invariable custom of hunters and scouts, carried +bullet molds, and they were soon at work, melting the lead and casting +bullets for their rifles, then pouring the shining pellets in a stream +into their pouches. They continued at the task from day to day until +all the lead was turned into bullets and then they began work on +another pair of snowshoes, these intended for Robert.</p> + +<p>Despite the safety and comfort of their home in the rock, both began +to chafe now, and time grew tremendously long. They had done nearly +everything they could do for themselves, and life had become so easy +that there was leisure to think and be restless, because they were far +away from great affairs.</p> + +<p>"When my snowshoes are finished and I perfect myself in the use of +them," said Robert, "I favor an attempt to escape on the ice and snow +to the south. We grow rusty, you and I, here, Tayoga. The war may be +decided in our absence and I want to see Dave, too. I want to hear him +tell how he got through the savage cordon to the lake."</p> + +<p>"Have no fear about the war, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "It will +not be ended this winter nor the next. Before there is peace between +the French king and the British king you will have a chance to make +many speeches. Yet, like you, I think we should go. It is not well for +us to lie hidden in the ground through a whole winter."</p> + +<p>"But when we leave our good home here I shall leave many regrets +behind."</p> + +<p>He looked around at the cave and its supplies of skins and furs, its +stores of wood and food. Fortune had helped their own skill and they +had made a marvelous change in the place. Its bleakness and bareness +had disappeared. In the cold and bitter wilderness it offered more +than comfort, it was luxury itself.</p> + +<p>"So shall I," said Tayoga, appreciatively, "but we will heap rocks up +to the very top of the door, so that only a little air and nothing +else can enter, and leave it as it is. Some day we may want to use it +again."</p> + +<p>Having decided to go, they became very impatient, but they did not +skimp the work on the snowshoes, knowing how much depended on their +strength, but that task too, like all the others, came to an end in +time. Robert practiced a while and they selected a day of departure. +They were to take with them all the powder and bullets, a large supply +of food and their heavy bearskin overcoats. They had also made for +themselves over-moccasins of fur and extra deerskin leggings. They +would be bundled up greatly, but it was absolutely necessary in order +to face the great cold, that hovered continuously around thirty to +forty degrees below zero. The ear muffs, the caps and the gloves, too, +were necessities, but they had the comfort of believing that if the +fierce winter presented great difficulties to them, it would also keep +their savage enemies in their lodges.</p> + +<p>"The line that shut us in in the autumn has thinned out and gone!" +exclaimed Robert in sanguine tones, "and we'll have a clear path from +here to the lake!"</p> + +<p>Then they rolled stones, as they had planned, before the door to their +home, closing it wholly except a few square inches at the top, and +ascended on their snowshoes to the crest of the ridge.</p> + +<p>"Our cave will not be disturbed, at least not this winter," said +Tayoga confidently. "The bears that sleep below are, as I told you, +the silent sentinels, and they will guard it for us until we come +again."</p> + +<p>"At least, they brought us good luck," said Robert. Then, with long, +gliding strokes they passed over the ridge, and their happy valley was +lost to sight. They did not speak again for hours, Tayoga leading the +way, and each bending somewhat to his task, which was by no means +a light one, owing to the weight they carried, and the extremely +mountainous nature of the country. The wilderness was still and +intensely cold. The deep snow was covered by a crust of ice, and, +despite vigorous exertion and warm clothing, they were none too warm.</p> + +<p>By noon Robert's ankle, not thoroughly hardened to the snowshoes, +began to chafe, and they stopped to rest in a dense grove, where the +searching north wind was turned aside from them. They were traveling +by the sun for the south end of Lake George, but as they were in the +vast plexus of mountains, where their speed could not be great, even +under the best of conditions, they calculated that they would be many +days and nights on the way.</p> + +<p>They stayed fully an hour in the shelter of the trees, and an hour +later came to a frozen lake over which the traveling was easy, but +after they had passed it they entered a land of close thickets, in +which their progress was extremely slow. At night, the cold was very +great, but, as they scooped out a deep hollow in the snow, though they +attempted no fire, they were able to keep warm within their bearskins. +A second and a third day passed in like fashion, and their progress to +the south was unimpeded, though slow. They beheld no signs of human +life save their own, but invariably in the night, and often in the +day, they heard distant wolves howling.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day the temperature rose rapidly and the surface of +the snow softened, making their southward march much harder. Their +snowshoes clogged so much and the strain upon their ankles grew so +great that they decided to go into camp long before sunset, and give +themselves a thorough rest. They also scraped away the snow and +lighted a fire for the first time, no small task, as the snow was +still very deep, and it required much hunting to find the fallen +wood. But when the cheerful blaze came they felt repaid for all their +trouble. They rejoiced in the glow for an hour or so, and then Tayoga +decided that he would go on a short hunting trip along the course of a +stream that they could see about a quarter of a mile below.</p> + +<p>"It may be that I can rouse up a deer," he said. "They are likely to +be in the shelter of the thick bushes along the water's edge, but +whether I find them or not I will return shortly after sundown. Do you +await me here, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"I won't stir. I'm too tired," said Robert.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga put on his snowshoes again, and strapped to his back his +share of the ammunition and supplies—it had been agreed by the two +that neither should ever go anywhere without his half, lest they +become separated. Then he departed on smooth, easy strokes, almost +like one who skated, and was soon out of sight among the bushes at the +edge of the stream. Robert settled back to the warmth and brightness +of the fire, and awaited in peace the sound of a shot telling that +Tayoga had found the deer.</p> + +<p>He had been so weary, and the blaze was so soothing that he sank into +a state, not sleep, but nevertheless full of dreams. He saw Willet +again, and heard him tell the tale how he had reached the lake and +the army with Garay's letter. He saw Colonel Johnson, and the young +English officer, Grosvenor, and Colden and Wilton and Carson and all +his old friends, and then he heard a crunch on the snow near him. Had +Tayoga come back so soon and without his deer? He did not raise his +drooping eyelids until he heard the crunch again, and then when he +opened them he sprang suddenly to his feet, his heart beating fast +with alarm.</p> + +<p>A half dozen dark figures rushed upon him. He snatched at his rifle +and tried to meet the first of them with a bullet, but the range was +too close. He nevertheless managed to get the muzzle in the air and +pull the trigger. He remembered even in that terrible moment to do +that much and Tayoga would hear the sharp, lashing report. Then the +horde was upon him. Someone struck him a stunning blow on the side of +the head with the flat of a tomahawk, and he fell unconscious.</p> + +<p>When he returned to the world, the twilight had come, the hole in the +snow had been enlarged very much, and so had the fire. Seated around +it were a dozen Indians, wrapped in thick blankets and armed heavily, +and one white man whose attire was a strange compound of savage and +civilized. He wore a three-cornered French military hat with a great, +drooping plume of green, an immense cloak of fine green cloth, lined +with fur, but beneath it he was clothed in buckskin.</p> + +<p>The man himself was as picturesque as his attire. He was young, his +face was lean and bold, his nose hooked and fierce like that of a +Roman leader, his skin, originally fair, now tanned almost to a +mahogany color by exposure, his figure of medium height, but obviously +very powerful. Robert saw at once that he was a Frenchman and he felt +instinctively that it was Langlade. But his head was aching from the +blow of the tomahawk, and he waited in a sort of apathy.</p> + +<p>"So you've come back to earth," said the Frenchman, who had seen his +eyes open—he spoke in good French, which Robert understood perfectly.</p> + +<p>"I never had any intention of staying away," replied young Lennox.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman laughed.</p> + +<p>"At least you show a proper spirit," he said. "I commend you also for +managing to fire your rifle, although the bullet hit none of us. It +gave the alarm to your comrade and he got clean away. I can make a +guess as to who you are."</p> + +<p>"My name is Robert Lennox."</p> + +<p>"I thought so, and your comrade was Tayoga, the Onondaga who is not +unknown to us, a great young warrior, I admit freely. I am sorry we +did not take him."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you'll get a chance to lay hands on him. He'll be too +clever for you."</p> + +<p>"I admit that, too. He's gone like the wind on his snowshoes. It seems +queer that you and he should be here in the mountain wilderness so far +north of your lines, in the very height of a fierce winter."</p> + +<p>"It's just as queer that you should be here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so, from your point of view, though it's lucky that I should +have been present with these dark warriors of mine when you were +taken. They suffered heavily in the battle by Andiatarocte, and but +for me they might now be using you as fuel. Don't wince, you know +their ways and I only tell a fact. In truth, I can't make you any +promise in regard to your ultimate fate, but, at present, I need you +alive more than I need you dead."</p> + +<p>"You won't get any military information out of me."</p> + +<p>"I don't know. We shall wait and see."</p> + +<p>"Do you know the Chevalier de St. Luc?"</p> + +<p>"Of course. All Frenchmen and all Canadians know him, or know of him, +but he is far from here, and we shall not tell him that we have a +young American prisoner. The chevalier is a great soldier and the +bravest of men, but he has one fault. He does not hate the English and +the Bostonnais enough."</p> + +<p>Robert was not bound, but his arms and snowshoes had been taken and +the Indians were all about him. There was no earthly chance of escape. +With the wisdom of the wise he resigned himself at once to his +situation, awaiting a better moment.</p> + +<p>"I'm at your command," he said politely to Langlade.</p> + +<p>The French leader laughed, partly in appreciation.</p> + +<p>"You show intelligence," he said. "You do not resist, when you see +that resistance is impossible."</p> + +<p>Robert settled himself into a more comfortable position by the fire. +His head still ached, but it was growing easier. He knew that it was +best to assume a careless and indifferent tone.</p> + +<p>"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later."</p> + +<p>Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt +more wood. They obeyed. Robert saw that they never questioned his +leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established +themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence. The others threw +away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, +and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which +all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs.</p> + +<p>Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he +was not hungry. He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel +enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the +present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind. +His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with +them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with +the reward, were content to wait.</p> + +<p>The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the +entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north. +The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was +turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity. He +had been certain at first of escape, but it did not seem so sure now. +In former wars many prisoners taken on raids into Canada had never +been heard of again, and when he reflected in cold blood he knew that +the odds were heavy against a successful flight. Yet there was Tayoga. +His warning shot had enabled the Onondaga to evade the band, and his +comrade would never desert him. All his surpassing skill and tenacity +would be devoted to his aid. In that lay his hope.</p> + +<p>They pressed on toward the north as fast as they could go, and when +night came they were all exhausted, but they ate heavily again and +Robert received his share. Langlade continued to treat him kindly, +though he still had the feeling that the partisan, if it served him, +would be fully as cruel as the Indians. At night, although they built +big fires, Langlade invariably posted a strong watch, and Robert +noticed also that he usually shared it, or a part of it, from which +habit he surmised that the partisan had received the name of the Owl. +He had hoped that Tayoga might have a chance to rescue him in the +dark, but he saw now that the vigilance was too great.</p> + +<p>He hid his intense disappointment and kept as cheerful a face as he +could. Langlade, the only white man in the Indian band, was drawn +to him somewhat by the mere fact of racial kinship, and the two +frequently talked together in the evenings in what was a sort of +compulsory friendliness, Robert in this manner picking up scraps of +information which when welded together amounted to considerable, being +thus confirmed in his belief that Willet with the letter had reached +the lake in time. St. Luc with a formidable force had undertaken a +swift march on Albany, but the town had been put in a position of +defense, and St. Luc's vanguard had been forced to retreat by a +large body of rangers after a severe conflict. As the success of the +chevalier's daring enterprise had depended wholly on surprise, he had +then withdrawn northward.</p> + +<p>But Robert could not find out by any kind of questions where St. Luc +was, although he learned that Garay had never returned to Albany and +that Hendrik Martinus had made an opportune flight. Langlade, who was +thoroughly a wilderness rover, talked freely and quite boastfully +of the French power, which he deemed all pervading and invincible. +Despite the battle at Lake George the fortunes of war had gone so far +in favor of France and Canada and against Britain and the Bostonnais. +When the great campaign was renewed in the spring more and bigger +victories would crown French valor. The Owl grew expansive as he +talked to the youth, his prisoner.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis de Montcalm is coming to lead all our armies," he said, +"and he is a far abler soldier than Dieskau. You really did us a great +service when you captured the Saxon. Only a Frenchman is fit to +lead Frenchmen, and under a mighty captain we will crush you. The +Bostonnais are not the equal of the French in the forest. Save a few +like Willet, and Rogers, the English and Americans do not learn the +ways of woods warfare, nor do you make friends with the Indians as we +do."</p> + +<p>"That is true in the main," responded Robert, "but we shall win +despite it. Both the English and the English Colonials have the power +to survive defeat. Can the French and the Canadians do as well?"</p> + +<p>Langlade could not be shaken in his faith. He saw nothing but the most +brilliant victories, and not only did he boast of French power, but he +gloried even more in the strength of the Indian hordes, that had come +and that were coming in ever increasing numbers to the help of France. +Only the Hodenosaunee stood aloof from Québec, and he believed the +Great League even yet would be brought over to his side.</p> + +<p>Robert argued with the Owl, but he made no impression upon him. +Meanwhile they continued to march north by west.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_VIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>BEFORE MONTCALM</h3> + +<p>The Owl, with his warriors and captive, descended in time into the low +country in the northwest. They, too, had been on snowshoes, but now they +discarded them, since they were entering a region in which little snow had +fallen, the severity of the weather abating greatly. Robert was still +treated well, though guarded with the utmost care. The Indians, who seemed +to be from some tribe about the Great Lakes, did not speak any dialect he +knew, and, if they understood English, they did not use it. He was +compelled to do all his talking with the Owl who, however, was not at all +taciturn. Robert saw early that while a wonderful woodsman and a born +partisan leader, he was also a Gascon, vain, boastful and full of words. He +tried to learn from him something about his possible fate, but he could +obtain no hint, until they had been traveling more than three weeks, and +Langlade had been mellowed by an uncommonly good supper of tender game, +which the Indians had cooked for him.</p> + +<p>"You've been trying to draw that information out of me ever since you were +captured," he said. "You were indirect and clever about it, but I noticed +it. I, Charles Langlade, have perceptions, you must understand. If I do +live in the woods I can read the minds of white men."</p> + +<p>"I know you can," said Robert, smilingly. "I observed from the first that +you had an acute intellect."</p> + +<p>"Your judgment does you credit, my young friend. I did not tell you what I +was going to do with you, because I did not know myself. I know more about +you than you think I do. One of my warriors was with Tandakora in several +of his battles with you and Willet, that mighty hunter whom the Indians +call the Great Bear, and Tayoga, the Onondaga, who is probably following on +our trail in the hope of rescuing you. I have also heard of you from +others. Oh, as I tell you, I, Charles Langlade, take note of all things. +You are a prisoner of importance. I would not give you to Tandakora, +because he would burn you, and a man does not burn valuable goods. I would +not send you to St. Luc, because, being a generous man, he might take some +foolish notion to exchange you, or even parole you. I would not give you to +the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec, because then I might lose my pawn in the +game, and, in any event, the Marquis Duquesne is retiring as Governor +General of New France."</p> + +<p>"Is that true? I have met him. He seemed to me to be a great man."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he is, but he was too haughty and proud for the powerful men who +dwelt at Quebec, and who control New France. I have heard something of your +appearance at the capital with the Great Bear and the Onondaga, and of what +chanced at Bigot's ball, and elsewhere. Ah, you see, as I told you, I, +Charles Langlade, know all things! But to return, the Marquis Duquesne +gives way to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Oh, that was accomplished some time +ago, and perhaps you know of it. So, I do not wish to give you to the +Marquis de Vaudreuil. I might wait and present you to the Marquis de +Montcalm when he comes, but that does not please me, either, and thus I +have about decided to present you to the Dove."</p> + +<p>"The Dove! Who is the Dove?"</p> + +<p>Langlade laughed with intense enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"The Dove," he replied, "is a woman, none other than Madame de Langlade +herself, a Huron. You English do not marry Indian women often—and yet +Colonel William Johnson has taken a Mohawk to wife—but we French know them +and value them. Do not think to have an easy and careless jailer when you +are put in the hands of the Dove. She will guard you even more zealously +than I, Charles Langlade, and you will notice that I have neither given you +any opportunity to escape nor your friend, Tayoga, the slightest chance to +rescue you."</p> + +<p>"It is true, Monsieur Langlade. I've abandoned any such hope on the march, +although I may elude you later."</p> + +<p>"The Dove, as I told you, will attend to that. But it will be a pretty play +of wits, and I don't mind the test. I'm aware that you have intelligence +and skill, but the Dove, though a woman, possesses the wit of a great +chief, and I'll match her against you."</p> + +<p>There was a further abatement of the weather, and they reached a region +where there was no snow at all. Warm winds blew from the direction of the +Great Lakes and the band traveled fast through a land in which the game +almost walked up to their rifles to be killed, such plenty causing the +Indians, as usual, now that they were not on the war path, to feast +prodigiously before huge fires, Langlade often joining them, and showing +that he was an adept in Indian customs.</p> + +<p>One evening, just as they were about to light the fire, the warrior who had +been posted as sentinel at the edge of the forest gave a signal and a few +moments later a tall, spare figure in a black robe with a belt about the +waist appeared. Robert's heart gave a great leap. The wearer of the black +robe was an elderly man with a thin face, ascetic and high. The captive +recognized him at once. It was Father Philibert Drouillard, the priest, +whose life had already crossed his more than once, and it was not strange +to see him there, as the French priests roamed far through the great +wilderness of North America, seeking to save the souls of the savages.</p> + +<p>Langlade, when he beheld Father Drouillard, sprang at once to his feet, and +Robert also arose quickly. The priest saw young Lennox, but he did not +speak to him just yet, accepting the food that the Owl offered him, and +sitting down with his weary feet to the fire that had now been lighted.</p> + +<p>"You have traveled far, Father?" said Langlade, solicitously.</p> + +<p>"From the shores of Lake Huron. I have converts there, and I must see that +they do not grow weak in the faith."</p> + +<p>"All men, red and white, respect Philibert Drouillard. Why are you alone, +Father?"</p> + +<p>"A runner from the Christian village came with me until yesterday. Then I +sent him back, because I would not keep him too long from his people. I can +go the rest of the way alone, as it will be but a few days before I meet a +French force."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to Robert for the first time.</p> + +<p>"And you, my son," he said, "I am sorry it has fared thus with you."</p> + +<p>"It has not gone badly, Father," said Robert. "Monsieur de Langlade has +treated me well. I have naught to complain of save that I'm a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"It is a good lad, Charles Langlade," said the priest to the partisan, "and +I am glad he has suffered no harm at your hands. What do you purpose to do +with him?"</p> + +<p>"It is my present plan to take him to the village in which Madame Langlade, +otherwise the Dove, abides. He will be her prisoner until a further plan +develops, and you know how well she watches."</p> + +<p>A faint smile passed over the thin face of the priest.</p> + +<p>"It is true, Charles Langlade," he said. "That which escapes the eyes of +the Dove is very small, but I would take the lad with me to Montreal."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, that cannot be. I am second to nobody in respect for Holy +Church, and for you, Father Drouillard, whose good deeds are known to all, +and whose bad deeds are none, but those who fight the war must use their +judgment in fighting it, and the prisoners are theirs."</p> + +<p>Father Drouillard sighed.</p> + +<p>"It is so, Charles Langlade," he said, "but, as I have said, the prisoner +is a good youth. I have met him before, as I told you, and I would save +him. You know not what may happen in the Indian village, if you chance to +be away."</p> + +<p>"The Dove will have charge of him. She can be trusted."</p> + +<p>"And yet I would take him with me to Montreal. He will give his parole that +he will not attempt to escape on the way. It is the custom for prisoners to +be ransomed. I will send to you from Montreal five golden louis for him."</p> + +<p>Langlade shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Ten golden louis," said Father Drouillard.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Father, it is no use," said the partisan. "I cannot be tempted to +exchange him for money."</p> + +<p>"Fifteen golden louis, Charles Langlade, though I may have to borrow from +the funds of the Church to send them to you."</p> + +<p>"I respect your motive, Father, but 'tis impossible. This is a prisoner of +great value and I must use him as a pawn in the game of war. He was taken +fairly and I cannot give him up."</p> + +<p>Again Father Drouillard sighed, and this time heavily.</p> + +<p>"I would save you from captivity, Mr. Lennox," he said, "but, as you see, I +cannot."</p> + +<p>Robert was much moved.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, Father Drouillard, for your kind intentions," he said. "It +may be that some day I shall have a chance to repay them. Meanwhile, I do +not dread the coming hospitality of Madame Langlade."</p> + +<p>The priest shook his head sadly.</p> + +<p>"It is a great and terrible war," he said, "though I cannot doubt that +France will prevail, but I fear for you, my son, a captive in the vast +wilderness. Although you are an enemy and a heretic I have only good +feeling for you, and I know that the great Chevalier, St. Luc, also regards +you with favor."</p> + +<p>"Know you anything of St. Luc?" asked Robert eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Only that the expedition he was to lead against Albany has turned back and +that he has gone to Canada to fight under the banner of Montcalm, when he +comes with the great leaders, De Levis, Bourlamaque and the others."</p> + +<p>"I thought I might meet him."</p> + +<p>"Not here, with Charles Langlade."</p> + +<p>The priest spent the night with them and in the morning, after giving them +his blessing, captors and captive alike, he departed on his long and +solitary journey to Montreal.</p> + +<p>"A good man," said Robert, as he watched his tall, thin figure disappear in +the surrounding forest.</p> + +<p>"Truly spoken," said the Owl. "I am little of a churchman myself, the +forest and the war trail please me better, but the priests are a great prop +to France in the New World. They carry with them the authority of His +Majesty, King Louis."</p> + +<p>A week later they reached a small Indian village on Lake Ontario where the +Owl at present made his abode, and in the largest lodge of which his +patient spouse, the Dove, was awaiting him. She was young, much taller than +the average Indian woman, and, in her barbaric fashion, quite handsome. But +her face was one of the keenest and most alert Robert had ever seen. All +the trained observation of countless ancestors seemed stored in her and now +he understood why Langlade had boasted so often and so warmly of her skill +as a guard. She regarded him with a cold eye as she listened attentively to +her husband's instructions, and, for the remainder of that winter and +afterward, she obeyed them with a thoroughness beyond criticism.</p> + +<p>The village included perhaps four hundred souls, of whom about a hundred +were warriors. Langlade was king and Madame Langlade, otherwise the Dove, +was queen, the two ruling with absolute sovereignty, their authority due to +their superior intelligence and will and to the service they rendered to +the little state, because a state it was, organized completely in all its +parts, although composed of only a few hundred human beings. In the bitter +weather that came again, Langlade directed the hunting in the adjacent +forest and the fishing conducted on the great lake. He also made presents +from time to time of gorgeous beads or of huge red or yellow blankets that +had been sent from Montreal. Robert could not keep from admiring his +diplomacy and tact, and now he understood more thoroughly than ever how the +French partisans made themselves such favorites with the wild Indians.</p> + +<p>His own position in the village was tentative. Langlade still seemed +uncertain what to do with him, and held him meanwhile for a possible reward +of great value. He was never allowed to leave the cluster of tepees for the +forest, except with the warriors, but he took part in the fishing on the +lake, being a willing worker there, because idleness grew terribly irksome, +and, when he had nothing to do, he chafed over his long captivity. He slept +in a small tepee built against that of Monsieur and Madame Langlade, and +from which there was no egress save through theirs.</p> + +<p>He was enclosed only within walls of skin, and he believed that he might +have broken a way through them, but he felt that the eyes of the Dove were +always on him. He even had the impression that she was watching him while +he slept, and sometimes he dreamed that she was fanged and clawed like a +tigress.</p> + +<p>Langlade went away once, being gone a long time, and while he was absent +the Dove redoubled her watchfulness. Robert's singular impression that her +eyes were always on him was strengthened, and these eyes were increased to +the hundred of Argus and more. It became so oppressive that he was always +eager to go out with the warriors in their canoes for the fishing. On Lake +Ontario he was sure the eyes of the Dove could not reach him, but the work +was arduous and often perilous. The great lake was not to be treated +lightly. Often it took toll of the Indians who lived around its shores. +Winter storms came up suddenly, the waves rolled like those of the sea, +freezing spray dashed over them, and it required a supreme exertion of +both skill and strength to keep the light canoes from being swamped.</p> + +<p>Yet Robert was always happier on water than on land. On shore, confined +closely and guarded zealously, his imaginative temperament suffered and he +became moody and depressed, but on the lakes, although still a captive, he +felt the winds of freedom. When the storms came and the icy blasts swept +down upon them he responded, body and soul. Relief and freedom were to be +found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore +refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh. He also had a feeling that +Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little +Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but +he never saw any.</p> + +<p>The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they +belonged, was the most terrible burden of all. If the Indians had news they +told him none. He seemed to have vanished completely. But, however numerous +may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that +yields. The flexible steel always rebounded. He took thorough care of his +health and strength. In his close little tepee he flexed and tensed his +muscles and went through physical exercises every night and morning, but it +was on the lake in the fishing, where the Indians grew to recognize his +help, that he achieved most. Fighting the winds, the water and the cold, he +felt his muscles harden and his chest enlarge, and he would say to himself +that when the spring came and he escaped he would be more fit for the life +of a free forest runner than he had ever been before. Langlade, when he +returned, took notice of his increased size and strength and did not +withhold approval.</p> + +<p>"I like any prisoner of mine to flourish," he laughed. "The more superior +you become the greater will be the reward for me when I dispose of you. You +have found the Dove all I promised you she should be, haven't you, Monsieur +Lennox?"</p> + +<p>"All and more," replied Robert. "Although she may be out of sight I feel +that her eyes are always on me, and this is true of the night as well as +the day."</p> + +<p>"A great woman, the Dove, and a wife to whom I give all credit. If it +should come into the king's mind to call me to Versailles and bestow upon +me some kind of an accolade perhaps Madame Langlade would not feel at home +in the great palace nor at the Grand Trianon, nor even at the Little +Trianon, and maybe I wouldn't either. But since no such idea will enter His +Majesty's mind, and I have no desire to leave the great forests, the Dove +is a perfect wife for me. She is the true wilderness helpmate, accomplished +in all the arts of the life I live and love, and with the eye and soul of a +warrior. I repeat, young Monsieur Lennox, where could I find a wife more +really sublime?"</p> + +<p>"Nowhere, Monsieur Langlade. The more I see you two together the more +nearly I think you are perfectly matched."</p> + +<p>The Owl seemed pleased with the recognition of his marital felicity, and +grew gracious, dropping some crumbs of information for Robert. He had been +to Montreal and the arrival of the great soldier, the Marquis de Montcalm, +with fresh generals and fresh troops from France, was expected daily at +Quebec. The English, although their fleets were larger, could not intercept +them, and it was now a certainty that the spring campaign would sweep over +Albany and almost to New York. He spoke with so much confidence, in truth +with such an absolute certainty, that Robert's heart sank and then came +back again with a quick rebound.</p> + +<p>After a winter that had seemed to the young captive an age, spring came +with a glorious blossoming and blooming. The wilderness burst into green +and the great lake shining in the sun became peaceful and friendly. Warm +winds blew out of the west and the blood flowed more swiftly in human +veins. But spring passed and summer came. Then Langlade announced that he +would depart with the best of the warriors, and that Robert would go with +him, although he refused absolutely to say where or for what purpose.</p> + +<p>Robert's joy was dimmed in nowise by his ignorance of his destination. He +had not found the remotest chance to escape while in the village, but it +might come on the march, and there was also a relief and pleasant +excitement in entering the wilderness again. He joyously made ready, the +Dove gave her lord and equal, not her master, a Spartan farewell, and the +formidable band, Robert in the center, plunged into the forest.</p> + +<p>When the great mass of green enclosed them he felt a mighty surge of hope. +His imaginative temperament was on fire. A chance for him would surely +come. Tayoga might be hidden in the thickets. Action brought renewed +courage. Langlade, who was watching him, smiled.</p> + +<p>"I read your mind, young Monsieur Lennox," he said. "Have I not told you +that I, Charles Langlade, have the perceptions? Do I not see and interpret +everything?"</p> + +<p>"Then what do you see and interpret now?"</p> + +<p>"A great hope in your heart that you will soon bid us farewell. You think +that when we are deep in the forest it will not be difficult to elude our +watch. And yet you could not escape when we were going through this same +forest to the village. Now why do you think it will be easier when you are +going through it again, but away?"</p> + +<p>"The Dove is not at the end of the march. Her eyes will no longer be upon +me."</p> + +<p>The Owl laughed deeply and heartily.</p> + +<p>"You're a lad of sense," he said, "when you lay such a tribute at the feet +of that incomparable woman, that model wife, that true helpmate in every +sense of the word. Why should you be anxious to leave us? I could have you +adopted into the tribe, and you know the ceremony of adoption is sacred +with the Indians. And let me whisper another little fact in your ear which +will surely move you. The Dove has a younger sister, so much like her that +they are twins in character if not in years. She will soon be of +marriageable age, and she shall be reserved for you. Think! Then you will +be my brother-in-law and the brother-in-law of the incomparable Dove."</p> + +<p>"No! No!" exclaimed Robert hastily.</p> + +<p>Now the laughter of the Owl was uncontrollable. His face writhed and his +sides shook.</p> + +<p>"A lad does not recognize his own good!" he exclaimed, "or is it +bashfulness? Nay, don't be afraid, young Monsieur Lennox! Perhaps I could +get the Dove to intercede for you!"</p> + +<p>Robert was forced to smile.</p> + +<p>"I thank you," he said, "but I am far from the marriageable age myself."</p> + +<p>"Then the Dove and I are not to have you for a brother-in-law?" said +Langlade. "You show little appreciation, young Monsieur Lennox, when it is +so easy for you to become a member of such an interesting family."</p> + +<p>Robert was confirmed in his belief that there was much of the wild man in +the Owl, who in many respects had become more Indian than the Indians. He +was a splendid trailer, a great hunter, and the hardships of the forest +were nothing to him. He read every sign of the wilderness and yet he +retained all that was French also, lightness of manner, gayety, quick wit +and a politeness that never failed. It is likely that the courage and +tenacity of the French leaders were never shown to better advantage than in +the long fight they made for dominion in North America. Despite the fact +that he was an enemy, and his belief that Langlade could be ruthless, on +occasion, Robert was compelled to like him.</p> + +<p>The journey, the destination yet unknown to him, was long, but it was not +tedious to the young prisoner. He watched the summer progress and the +colors deepen and he was cheered continually by the hope of escape, a fact +that Langlade recognized and upon which he commented in a detached manner, +from time to time. Now and then the leader himself went ahead with a scout +or two and one morning he said to Robert:</p> + +<p>"I saw something in the forest last night."</p> + +<p>"The forest contains much," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"But this was of especial interest to you. It was the trace of a footstep, +and I am convinced it was made by your friend Tayoga, the Onondaga. +Doubtless he is seeking to effect your escape."</p> + +<p>Robert's heart gave a leap, and there was a new light in his eyes, of which +the shrewd Owl took notice.</p> + +<p>"I have heard of the surpassing skill of the Onondaga," he continued, "but +I, Charles Langlade, have skill of my own. It will be some time before we +arrive at the place to which we are going, and I lay you a wager that +Tayoga does not rescue you."</p> + +<p>"I have no money, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, "and if I had I could +not accept a wager upon such a subject."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll let it be mental, wholly. My skill is matched against the +combined knowledge of Tayoga and yourself. He'll never be able, no matter +how dark the night, to get near our camp and communicate with you."</p> + +<p>Although Robert hoped and listened often in the dusk for the sound of a +signal from Tayoga, Langlade made good his boast. The two were able to +establish no communication. It was soon proved that he was in the forest +near them, one of the warriors even catching a sufficient glimpse of his +form for a shot, which, however, went wild. The Onondaga did not reply, +and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the +knowledge that he was near. He had a faithful and powerful friend who would +help him some day, be it soon or late.</p> + +<p>The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was +done.</p> + +<p>"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the +Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself. I, Charles +Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so."</p> + +<p>"What, Montcalm near?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest.</p> + +<p>"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see +a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army."</p> + +<p>"The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness?"</p> + +<p>"That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods. I have some +curiosity on the subject myself."</p> + +<p>An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert +saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place. The tents +stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, +while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts. A large white marquee +near the center he was sure was that of the commander-in-chief, and he was +eager to see at once the famous Montcalm, of whom he was hearing so much. +But to his intense disappointment, Langlade went into camp with the +Indians.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis de Montcalm is a great man," he said, "the commander-in-chief +of all the forces of His Majesty, King Louis, in North America, and even I, +Charles Langlade, will not approach him without ceremony. We will rest in +the edge of the forest, and when he hears that I have come he will send for +me, because he will want to know many things which none other can tell him. +And it may be, young Monsieur Lennox, that, in time, he will wish to see +you also."</p> + +<p>So Robert waited with as much patience as he could muster, although he +slept but little that night, the noises in the great French camp and his +own curiosity keeping him awake. What was Montcalm doing so far from the +chief seats of the French power in Canada, and did the English and +Americans know that he was here?</p> + +<p>Curiously enough he had little apprehension for himself, it was rather a +feeling of joy that he had returned to the world of great affairs. Soon he +would know what had been occurring during the long winter when he was +buried in an Indian village, and he might even hear of Willet. Toward dawn +he slept a little, and after daylight he was awakened by Langlade who was +as assured and talkative as usual.</p> + +<p>"It may be, my gallant young prisoner," he said, ruffling and strutting, +"that I am about to lose you, but if it is so it will be for value +received. I, Charles Langlade, have seen the great Marquis de Montcalm, but +it was an equal speaking to an equal. It was last night in his grand +marquee, where he sat surrounded by his trusted lieutenants, De Levis, St. +Luc, Bourlamaque, Coulon de Villiers and the others. But I was not daunted +at all. I repeat that it was an equal speaking to an equal, and the Marquis +was pleased to commend me for the work I have already done for France."</p> + +<p>"And St. Luc was there?"</p> + +<p>"He was. The finest figure of them all. A brave and generous man and a +great leader. He stood at the right hand of the Marquis de Montcalm, while +I talked and he listened with attention, because the Chevalier de St. Luc +is always willing to learn from others. No false pride about him! And the +Marquis de Montcalm is like him. I gave the commander-in-chief much +excellent advice which he accepted with gratitude, and in return for you, +whom he expects to put to use, he has raised me in rank, and has extended +my authority over the western tribes. Ah, I knew that you were a prize when +I captured you, and I was wise to save you as a pawn."</p> + +<p>"How can I be of any value to the Marquis de Montcalm?"</p> + +<p>"That is to be seen. He knows his own plans best. You are to come with me +at once into his presence."</p> + +<p>Robert was immediately in a great stir. He straightened out, and, with his +hands, brushed his own clothing, smoothed his hair, intending, with his +usual desire for neatness, to make the best possible appearance before the +French leader.</p> + +<p>After breakfast Langlade took him to the great marquee in which Montcalm +sat, as the morning was cool, and when their names had been taken in a +young officer announced that they might enter, the officer, to Robert's +great surprise, being none other than De Galissonnière, who showed equal +amazement at meeting him there. The Frenchman gave him a hearty grasp of +the hand in English fashion, but they did not have time to say anything.</p> + +<p>Robert, walking by the side of Langlade, entered the great tent with some +trepidation, and beheld a swarthy man of middle years, in the uniform of a +general of France, giving orders to two officers who stood respectfully at +attention. Neither of the officers was St. Luc, nor were they among those +whom Robert had seen at Quebec. He surmised, however, that they were De +Levis and Bourlamaque, and he learned soon that he was right. Langlade +paused until Montcalm was ready to speak to him, and Robert stood in +silence at his side. Montcalm finished what he had to say and turned his +eyes upon the young prisoner. His countenance was mild, but Robert felt +that his gaze was searching.</p> + +<p>"And this, Captain Langlade," he said, "is the youth of whom you were +speaking?"</p> + +<p>So the Owl had been made a captain, and the promotion had been one of his +rewards. Robert was not sorry.</p> + +<p>"It is the one, sir," replied Langlade, "young Monsieur Robert Lennox. He +has been a prisoner in my village all the winter, and he has as friends +some of the most powerful people in the British Colonies."</p> + +<p>Montcalm continued to gaze at Robert as if he would read his soul.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Mr. Lennox," he said, not unkindly, motioning him to a little +stool. Robert took the indicated seat and so quick is youth to warm to +courtesy that he felt respect and even liking for the Marquis, official and +able enemy though he knew him to be. De Levis and Bourlamaque also were +watching him with alert gaze, but they said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I hear," continued Montcalm, with a slight smile, "that you have not +suffered in Captain Langlade's village, and that you have adapted yourself +well to wild life."</p> + +<p>"I've had much experience with the wilderness," said Robert. "Most of my +years have been passed there, and it was easy for me to live as Captain +Langlade lived. I've no complaint to make of his treatment, though I will +say that he has guarded me well."</p> + +<p>Montcalm laughed.</p> + +<p>"It agrees with Captain Langlade's own account," he said. "I suppose that +one must be born, or at least pass his youth in it, to get the way of this +vast wilderness. We of old Europe, where everything has been ruled and +measured for many centuries, can have no conception of it until we see it, +and even then we do not understand it. Although with an army about me I +feel lost in so much forest. But enough of that. It is of yourself and not +of myself that I wish to speak. I have heard good reports of you from one +of my own officers, who, though he has been opposed to you many times, +nevertheless likes you."</p> + +<p>"The Chevalier de St. Luc!"</p> + +<p>"Aye, the Chevalier de St. Luc. I know, also, that you have been in the +councils of some of the Colonial leaders. You are a friend of Sir William +Johnson."</p> + +<p>"Colonel William Johnson?"</p> + +<p>"No, Sir William Johnson. In reward for the affair at Lake George, in which +our Dieskau was unfortunate, he has been made a baronet by the British +king."</p> + +<p>"I am glad."</p> + +<p>"And doubtless Sir William is also. You know him well, I understand, and he +was still at the lake when you left on the journey that led to your +capture."</p> + +<p>Robert was silent.</p> + +<p>"I have not asked you to answer," continued Montcalm, "but I assume that it +is so. His army, although it was victorious in the battle there, did not +advance. There was much disagreement among the governors of the British +Colonies. The provinces could not be induced to act together?"</p> + +<p>Robert was still silent.</p> + +<p>"Again I say I am not asking you to answer, but your silence confirms the +truth of our reports."</p> + +<p>Robert flushed, and a warm reply trembled on his lips, but he restrained +the words. A swift smile passed over the dark face of Montcalm.</p> + +<p>"You see, Mr. Lennox," he continued, "I am not asking you to say anything, +but there was great disappointment among the British Colonials because +there was no advance after the battle at the lake. It has also cooled the +enthusiasm of the Iroquois, many of whom have gone home and who perhaps +will take no further part in the war as the allies of the English."</p> + +<p>Again Robert flushed and again he bit back the hot reply. He looked +uneasily at De Levis and Bourlamaque, but their faces expressed nothing. +Then Montcalm suddenly changed the subject.</p> + +<p>"I am going to make you a very remarkable offer," he said, "and do not +think for a moment it is going to imply any change of colors on your part, +or the least suspicion of treason, which I could not ask of the gentleman +you obviously are. I request of you your parole, your word of honor that +you will not take any further part in this war."</p> + +<p>"I can't do it! As I have often told Captain Langlade, I intend to escape."</p> + +<p>"That is impossible. If you could not do so when you were in Captain +Langlade's village, you have no chance at all now that you are surrounded +by an army. But since you will not give me your parole it will become +necessary to keep you as a prisoner of war, and to send you to a safe +place."</p> + +<p>"Many of our people in this and former wars with the French have been held +prisoners in the Province of Quebec. I know somewhat of the city of Quebec, +and it is not wholly an unpleasant place."</p> + +<p>"I did not have Quebec, either the province or the city, in mind so far as +concerns you, Mr. Lennox. Three of our ships are to return shortly to +France, and, not wishing to give us your parole, you are to go to France."</p> + +<p>"To France?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, to France. Where else? And you should rejoice. It is a fair and +glorious land. And I have heard there is a spirit in you, Mr. Lennox, which +is almost French, a kindred touch, a Gallic salt and savor, so to speak."</p> + +<p>"I'm wholly American and British."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps there are others who know you better than you know yourself. I +repeat, there is about you a French finish. Why should you deny it? You +should be proud of it. We are the oldest of the great civilized nations, +and the first in culture. Your stay in France should be very pleasant. You +can drink there at the fountain of ancient culture and glory. The +wilderness is magnificent in its way, but high civilization is magnificent +also in its own and another way. You can see Paris, the city of light, the +center of the world, and you can behold the splendid court of His Majesty, +King Louis. That should appeal to a young man of taste and discernment."</p> + +<p>Robert felt a thrill and his pulses leaped, but the thrill lasted only a +moment. It was clearly impossible that he should go even as a prisoner, +though a willing one, to France, and he did not see any reason why the +Marquis de Montcalm should take any personal interest in his future. But +responding invariably to the temperature about him his manner was now as +polite as that of the French general.</p> + +<p>"You have my thanks, sir," he said, "for the kindly way in which you offer +to treat a prisoner, but it is impossible for me to go to France, unless +you should choose to send me there by sheer force."</p> + +<p>The slight smile passed again over the face of the Marquis de Montcalm.</p> + +<p>"I fancied, young sir," he said, "that this would be your answer, and, +being what it is, I cannot say that it has lowered you aught in my esteem. +For the present, you abide with us."</p> + +<p>Robert bowed. Montcalm inspired in him a certain liking, and a decided +respect. Then, still under the escort of Langlade, he withdrew.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_IX"></a><h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE SIGN OF THE BEAR</h3> + +<p>Robert returned with Langlade to the partisan's camp at the edge of the +forest adjoining that of the main French army, where the Indian warriors +had lighted fires and were cooking steaks of the deer. He was disposed to +be silent, but Langlade as usual chattered volubly, discoursing of French +might and glory, but saying nothing that would indicate to his prisoner the +meaning of the present military array in the forest.</p> + +<p>Robert did not hear more than half of the Owl's words, because he was +absorbed in those of Montcalm, which still lingered in his mind. Why should +the Marquis wish to send him to France, and to have him treated, when he +was there, more as a guest than as a prisoner? Think as he would he could +find no answer to the question, but the Owl evidently had been impressed by +his reception from Montcalm, as he treated him now with distinguished +courtesy. He also seemed particularly anxious to have the good opinion of +the lad who had been so long his prisoner.</p> + +<p>"Have I been harsh to you?" he asked with a trace of anxiety in his tone. +"Have I not always borne myself toward you as if you were an important +prisoner of war? It is true I set the Dove as an invincible sentinel over +you, but as a good soldier and loyal son of France I could do no less. Now, +I ask you, Monsieur Robert Lennox, have not I, Charles Langlade, conducted +myself as a fair and considerate enemy?"</p> + +<p>"If I were to escape and be captured again, Captain Langlade, it is my +sincere wish that you should be my captor the second time, even as you were +the first."</p> + +<p>The Owl was gratified, visibly and much, and then he announced a visitor. +Robert sprang to his feet as he saw St. Luc approaching, and his heart +throbbed as always when he was in the presence of this man. The chevalier +was in a splendid uniform of white and silver unstained by the forest. His +thick, fair hair was clubbed in a queue and powdered neatly, and a small +sword, gold hilted, hung at his belt. He was the finest and most gallant +figure that Robert had yet seen in the wilderness, the very spirit and +essence of that brave and romantic France with which England and her +colonies were fighting a duel to the death. And yet St. Luc always seemed +to him too the soul of knightly chivalry, one to whom it was impossible for +him to bear any hostility that was not merely official. His own hand went +forward to meet the extended hand of the chevalier.</p> + +<p>"We seem destined to meet many times, Mr. Lennox," said St. Luc, "in +battle, and even under more pleasant conditions. I had heard that you were +the prisoner of our great forest ranger, Captain Langlade, and that you +would be received by our commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm."</p> + +<p>"He made me a most extraordinary offer, that I go as a prisoner of war to +Paris, but almost in the state of a guest."</p> + +<p>"And you thought fit to decline, which was unwise in you, though to be +expected of a lad of spirit. Sit down, Mr. Lennox, and we can have our +little talk in ease and comfort. It may be that I have something to do with +the proposition of the Marquis de Montcalm. Why not reconsider it and go to +France? England is bound to lose the war in America. We have the energy and +the knowledge. The Indian tribes are on our side. Even the powerful +Hodenosaunee may come over to us in time, and at the worst it will become +neutral. As a prisoner in France you will have no share in defeat, but +perhaps that does not appeal to you."</p> + +<p>"It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many +kindnesses to me, although I don't understand them. Your solicitude for my +welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a +source of wonderment in my mind."</p> + +<p>"Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to +harm."</p> + +<p>Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, +and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of +all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked +him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back +presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even +Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal +most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than +once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the +city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there +as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became +enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took +on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed +a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment.</p> + +<p>"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your +will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would +listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good."</p> + +<p>"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak +lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should +go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy +to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am +in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I +meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you."</p> + +<p>The chevalier laughed.</p> + +<p>"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and +patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But +'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say +our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain +Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in +readiness to depart tomorrow morning."</p> + +<p>Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but, +before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would +go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they +were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, +that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of +defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made +another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly. +Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of +his general's plans. Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for +battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into +the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze. The young prisoner's back +was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating +like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the +eyes of Tandakora.</p> + +<p>The huge Ojibway was more huge than ever. Robert was convinced that he was +the largest man he had ever seen, not only the tallest, but the broadest, +and the heaviest, and his very lack of clothing—he wore only a belt, +breech cloth, leggings and moccasins—seemed to increase his size. His vast +shoulders, chest and arms were covered with paint, and the scars of old +wounds, the whole giving to him the appearance of some primeval giant, +sinister and monstrous. He carried a fine, new rifle of French make and two +double barreled pistols; a tomahawk and knife swung from his belt.</p> + +<p>Robert, nevertheless, met that full gaze firmly. He shut from his mind what +he might have had to suffer from Tandakora had the Ojibway held him a +captive in the forest, but here he was not Tandakora's prisoner, and he was +in the midst of the French army. Centering all his will and soul into the +effort he stared straight into the evil eyes of the Indian, until those of +his antagonist were turned away.</p> + +<p>"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade.</p> + +<p>"Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter +came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario."</p> + +<p>"It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we +call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to +Onontio at Quebec. The nations of the Hodenosaunee call him Dagaeoga, and +he is a danger to us. I would buy him from you. I will send to you for him +fifty of the finest buffalo robes taken from the great western plains."</p> + +<p>"Not for fifty buffalo robes, Tandakora, no matter how fine they are."</p> + +<p>"Ten packs of the finest beaver skins, fifty in each pack."</p> + +<p>"It's no use to bid for him, Tandakora. I don't sell captives. Moreover, he +has passed out of my hands. I have had my reward for him. His fate rests +now with the Chevalier de St. Luc and the Marquis de Montcalm."</p> + +<p>The Ojibway's face showed foiled malice. "It is a snake that the Owl warms +in his bosom," he said, and strode away. The partisan followed him with +observant eyes.</p> + +<p>"It is evident that the Ojibway chief bears you no love, young Monsieur +Lennox," he said. "Now that you have served the purposes for which I held +you I wish you no harm, and so I bid you beware of Tandakora."</p> + +<p>"Your advice is good and well meant, and for it I thank you," said Robert; +"but I've known Tandakora a long time. My friends and I have met him in +several encounters and we've not had the worst of them."</p> + +<p>"I judged so by his manner. All the more reason then why you should beware +of him. I repeat the warning."</p> + +<p>Robert was not bound, and he was permitted to roll himself in a blanket and +sleep with his feet to the fire, an Indian on either side of him. Save +where a space had been cleared for the French army, the primeval forest, +heavy in the foliage of early spring, was all about them, and the wind that +sang through the leaves united with the murmuring of a creek, beside which +Langlade had pitched his camp.</p> + +<p>Slumber was slow in coming to Robert. Too much had occurred for his +faculties to slip away at once into oblivion. His interview with Montcalm, +his meeting with St. Luc, and the appearance of Tandakora at the camp +fire, stirred him mightily. Events were certainly marching, and, while he +tried to coax slumber to come, he listened to the noises of the camp and +the forest. Where the French tents were spread, men were softly singing +songs of their ancient land, and beyond them sentinels in neat uniforms +were walking back and forth among trees that had never beheld uniforms +before.</p> + +<p>The sounds sank gradually, but Robert did not yet sleep. He found a +peculiar sort of interest in detaching these murmurs from one another, the +stamp of impatient horses, the moving of arms, the last dying, notes of a +song, the whisper of the creek's waters, and then, plainly separate from +the others, he heard a faint, unmistakable swish, a noise that he knew, +that of an arrow flying through the air. Langlade knew it too, and sprang +up with an angry cry.</p> + +<p>"Now, has some warrior got hold of whiskey to indulge in this madness?" he +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>The faint swish came a second time, and Robert, who had risen to his feet, +saw two arrows standing upright in the earth not twenty feet away. Langlade +saw them also and swore.</p> + +<p>"They must have come in a wide curve overhead," he said, "or they would not +be standing almost straight up in the earth, and that does not seem like +the madness of liquor."</p> + +<p>He looked suspiciously at the forest, in which Indian sentinels had been +posted, but which, nevertheless, was so dark that a cunning form might +pass there unseen.</p> + +<p>"There is more in this than meets the eye," muttered the partisan, and +drawing the arrows from the earth he examined them by the light of the +fire. Robert stood by, silent, but his eyes fell on fresh marks with a +knife, near the barb on each weapon, and the great pulse in his throat +leaped. The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had +cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a +bear.</p> + +<p>The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive +comprehended it at once. It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan +of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the +Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear. +It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him. Had ever a man +a more faithful comrade? The Onondaga was still following in the hope of +making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living. Once +more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith.</p> + +<p>"Now what do these marks mean?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows +suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied +Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that. I've lived long enough among the Indians to know +they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted +so close together it must be some sort of a signal. It may have been +intended for you."</p> + +<p>Robert was silent, and the partisan did not ask him any further questions, +but, being much disturbed, sent into the forest scouts, who returned +presently, unable to find anything.</p> + +<p>"It may or it may not have been a message," he said, speaking to Robert, in +his usual garrulous fashion, "but I still incline to the opinion that it +was, though I may never know what the message meant, but I, Charles +Langlade, have not been called the Owl for nothing. If it refers to you +then your chance of escape has not increased. I hold you merely for +tonight, but I hold you tight and fast. Tomorrow my responsibility ceases, +and you march in the middle of Montcalm's army."</p> + +<p>Robert made no reply, but he was in wonderful spirits, and his elation +endured. His senses, in truth, were so soothed by the visible evidence that +his comrade was near that he fell asleep very soon and had no dreams. The +French and Indian army began its march early the next morning, and Robert +found himself with about a dozen other prisoners, settlers who had been +swept up in its advance. They had been surprised in their cabins, or their +fields, newly cleared, and could tell him nothing, but he noticed that the +march was west.</p> + +<p>He believed they were not far from Lake Ontario, and he had no doubt that +Montcalm had prepared some fell stroke. His mind settled at last upon +Oswego, where the Anglo-American forces had a post supposed to be strong, +and he was smitten with a fierce and commanding desire to escape and take a +warning. But he was compelled to eat his heart out without result. With +French and Indians all about him he had not the remotest chance and, +helpless, he was compelled to watch the Marquis de Montcalm march to what +he felt was going to be a French triumph.</p> + +<p>Swarms of Indian scouts and skirmishers preceded the army and Canadian +axmen cut a way for the artillery, but to Robert's great amazement these +operations lasted only a short time. Almost before he could realize it they +had emerged from the deep woods and he looked again upon the vast, shining +reaches of Lake Ontario. Then he learned for the first time that Montcalm's +army had come mostly in boats and in detachments, and was now united for +attack. As he had surmised, Oswego, which the English and Americans had +intended to be a great stronghold and rallying place in the west, was the +menaced position.</p> + +<p>Robert from a hill saw three forts before the French force, the largest +standing upon a plateau of considerable elevation on the east bank of the +river, which there flowed into the lake. It was shaped like a star, and the +fortifications consisted of trunks of trees, sharpened at the ends, driven +deep into the ground, and set as close together as possible. On the west +side of the river was another fort of stone and clay, and four hundred +yards beyond it was an unfinished stockade, so weak that its own garrison +had named it in derision Rascal Fort. Some flat boats and canoes lay in the +lake, and it was a man in one of these canoes who had been the first to +learn of the approach of Montcalm's army, so slender had been the +precautions taken by the officers in command of the forts.</p> + +<p>"We have come upon them almost as if we had dropped from the clouds," said +Langlade, exultingly, to Robert. "When they thought the Marquis de Montcalm +was in Montreal, lo! he was here! It is the French who are the great +leaders, the great soldiers and the great nation! Think you we would allow +ourselves to be surprised as Oswego has been?"</p> + +<p>Robert made no reply. His heart sank like a plummet in a pool. Already he +heard the crackling fire of musketry from the Indians who, sheltered in the +edge of the forest, were sending bullets against the stout logs of Fort +Ontario, but which could offer small resistance to cannon. And while the +sharpshooting went on, the French officers were planting the batteries, one +of four guns directly on the strand. The work was continued at a great pace +all through the night, and when Robert awoke from an uneasy sleep, in the +morning, he saw that the French had mounted twenty heavy cannon, which soon +poured showers of balls and grape and canister upon the log fort. He also +saw St. Luc among the guns directing their fire, while Tandakora's Indians +kept up an incessant and joyous yelling.</p> + +<p>The defenders of the stockade maintained a fire from rifles and several +small cannon, but it did little harm in the attacking army and Robert was +soldier enough to know that the log walls could not hold. While St. Luc +sent in the fire from the batteries faster and faster, a formidable force +of Canadians and Indians led by Rigaud, one of the best of Montcalm's +lieutenants, crossed the river, the men wading in the water up to their +waists, but holding their rifles over their heads.</p> + +<p>Tandakora was in this band, shouting savagely, and so was Langlade, but +Robert and the other prisoners, left under guard on the hill, saw +everything distinctly. They had no hope whatever that the chief fort, or +any of the forts, could hold out. Fragments of the logs were already flying +in the air as the stream of cannon balls beat upon them. The garrison made +a desperate resistance, but the cramped place was crowded with +women—settlers' wives—as well as men, the commander was killed, and at +last the white flag was hoisted on all the forts.</p> + +<p>Then the Indians, intoxicated with triumph and the strong liquors they had +seized, rushed in and began to ply the tomahawk. Montcalm, horrified, used +every effort to stop the incipient butchery, and St. Luc, Bourlamaque and, +in truth, all of his lieutenants, seconded him gallantly. Tandakora and his +men were compelled to return their tomahawks to their belts, and then the +French army was drawn around the captives, who numbered hundreds and +hundreds.</p> + +<p>It was another French and Indian victory like that over Braddock, though it +was not marked by the destruction of an army, and Robert's heart sank lower +and lower. He knew that it would be appalling news to Boston, to Albany and +to New York. The Marquis de Montcalm had justified the reputation that +preceded him. He had struck suddenly with lightning swiftness and with +terrible effect. Not only this blow, but its guarantee of others to come, +filled Robert's heart with fear for the future.</p> + +<p>The sun sank upon a rejoicing army. The Indians were still yelling and +dancing, and, though they were no longer allowed to sink their tomahawks in +the heads of their defenseless foes, they made imaginary strokes with them, +and shouted ferociously as they leaped and capered.</p> + +<p>Robert was on the strand near the shore of the lake, and wearied by his +long day of watching that which he wished least in the world to see, he sat +down on a sand heap, and put his head in his hands. Peculiarly sensitive to +atmosphere and surroundings, he was, for the moment, almost without hope. +But he knew, even when he was in despair, that his courage would come back. +It was one of the qualities of a temperament such as his that while he +might be in the depths at one hour he would be on the heights at the next.</p> + +<p>Several of the Indians, apparently those who had got at the liquor, were +careering up and down the sands, showing every sign of the blood madness +that often comes in the moment of triumph upon savage minds. Robert raised +his face from his hands and looked to see if Tandakora was among them, but +he caught no glimpse of the gigantic Ojibway. The French soldiers who were +guarding the prisoners gazed curiously at the demoniac figures. They were +of the battalions Bearn and Guienne and they had come newly from France. +Plunged suddenly into the wilderness, such sights as they now beheld +filled them with amazement, and often created a certain apprehension. They +were not so sure that their wild allies were just the kind of allies they +wanted.</p> + +<p>The sun set lower upon the savage scene, casting a dark glow over the +ruined forts, the troops, the leaping savages and the huddled prisoners. +One of the Indians danced and bounded more wildly than all the rest. He was +tall, but slim, apparently youthful, and he wore nothing except breech +cloth, leggings and moccasins, his naked body a miracle of savage painting. +Robert by and by watched him alone, fascinated by his extraordinary agility +and untiring enthusiasm. His figure seemed to shoot up in the air on +springs, and, with a glittering tomahawk, he slew and scalped an imaginary +foe over and over again, and every time the blade struck in the air he let +forth a shout that would have done credit to old Stentor himself. He ranged +up and down the beach, and presently, when he was close to Robert, he grew +more violent than ever, as if he were worked by some powerful mechanism +that would not let him rest. He had all the appearance of one who had gone +quite mad, and as he bounded near them, his tomahawk circling about his +head, the French guards shrank back, awed, and, at the same time, not +wishing to have any conflict with their red allies, who must be handled +with the greatest care.</p> + +<p>The man paused a moment before the young prisoner, whirled his tomahawk +about his head and uttered a ferocious shout. Robert looked straight into +the burning eyes, started violently and then became outwardly calm, though +every nerve and muscle in him was keyed to the utmost tension. "To the +lake!" exclaimed the Indian under his breath and then he danced toward the +water.</p> + +<p>Robert did not know at first what the words meant, and he waited in +indecision, but he saw that the care of the guards, owing to the confusion, +the fact that the battle was over, and the rejoicing for victory, was +relaxed. It would seem, too, that escape at such a time and place was +impossible, and that circumstance increased their inattention.</p> + +<p>The youth watched the dancing warrior, who was now moving toward the water, +over which the darkness of night had spread. But the lake was groaning with +a wind from the north, and several canoes near the beach were bobbing up +and down. The dancer paused a moment at the very edge of the water, and +looked back at Robert. Then he advanced into the waves themselves.</p> + +<p>All the young prisoner's indecision departed in a flash. The signal was +complete and he understood. He sprang violently against the French soldier +who stood nearest him and knocked him to the ground. Then with three or +four bounds he was at the water's edge, leaping into the canoe, just as +Tayoga settled himself into place there, and, seizing a paddle, pushed away +with powerful shoves.</p> + +<p>Robert nearly upset the canoe, but the Onondaga quickly made it regain its +balance, and then they were out on the lake under the kindly veil of the +night. The fugitive said nothing, he knew it was no time to speak, because +Tayoga's powerful back was bending with his mighty efforts and the bullets +were pattering in the water behind them. It was luck that the canoe was a +large one, partaking more of the nature of a boat, as Robert could remain +concealed on the bottom without tipping it over, while the Onondaga +continued to put all his nervous power and skill into his strokes. It was +equally fortunate, also, that the night had come and that the dusk was +thick, as it distracted yet further the hasty aim of the French and Indians +on shore. One bullet from a French rifle grazed Robert's shoulder, another +was deflected from Tayoga's paddle without striking it from his hand, but +in a few minutes they were beyond the range of those who stood on the bank, +although lead continued to fall in the water behind them.</p> + +<p>"Now you can rise, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, "and use the extra paddle +that I took the precaution to stow in the boat. Do not think because you +are an escaped prisoner that you are to rest in idleness and luxury, doing +no work while I do it all."</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Tayoga!" exclaimed Robert, in the fullness of his emotion. +"I'll work a week without stopping if you say so. I'm so glad to see you +that I'll do anything you say, and ask no questions. But I want to tell you +you're the most wonderful dancer and jumper in America!"</p> + +<p>"I danced and jumped so well, Dagaeoga, because your need made me do so. +Necessity gives a wonderful spring to the muscles. Behold how long and +strong you sweep with the paddle because the bullets of the enemy impel +you."</p> + +<p>"Which way are we going, Tayoga? What is your plan?"</p> + +<p>"Our aim at this moment, Dagaeoga, is the middle of the lake, because the +sons of Onontio and the warriors of Tandakora are all along the beach, and +would be waiting for us with rifle and tomahawk should we seek to land. +This is but a small boat in which we sit and it could not resist the waves +of a great storm, but at present it is far safer for us than any land near +by."</p> + +<p>"Of course you're right, Tayoga, you always are, but we're in the thick of +the darkness now, so you rest awhile and let me do the paddling alone."</p> + +<p>"It is a good thought, Dagaeoga, but keep straight in the direction we are +going. See that you do not paddle unconsciously in a curve. We shall +certainly be pursued, and although our foes cannot see us well in the dark, +some out of their number are likely to blunder upon us. If it comes to a +battle you will notice that I have an extra rifle and pistol for you lying +in the bottom of the canoe, and that I am something more than a supple +dancer and leaper."</p> + +<p>"You not only think of everything, Tayoga, but you also do it, which is +better. I shall take care to keep dead ahead."</p> + +<p>Robert in his turn bent forward and plied the paddle. He was not only +fresh, but the wonderful thrill of escape gave him a strength far beyond +the normal, and the great canoe fairly danced over the waters toward the +dusky deeps of the lake, while the Onondaga crouched at the other end of +the canoe, rifle in hand, intently watching the heavy pall of dusk behind +them.</p> + +<p>Their situation was still dangerous in the extreme, but the soul of Tayoga +swelled with triumph. Tandakora, the Ojibway, had rejoiced because he had +expected a great taking of scalps, but the purer spirit of the Onondaga +soared into the heights because he had saved his comrade of a thousand +dangers. He still saw faintly through the darkness the campfires of the +victorious French and Indian army, and he heard the swish of paddles, but +he did not yet discern any pursuing canoe. He detached his eyes for a +moment from the bank of dusk in front of him, and looked up at the skies. +The clouds and vapors kept him from seeing the great star upon which his +patron saint, Tododaho, sat, but he knew that he was there, and that he was +watching over him. He could not have achieved so much in the face of +uttermost peril and then fail in the lesser danger.</p> + +<p>The canoe glided swiftly on toward the wider reaches of the lake, and the +Onondaga never relaxed his watchfulness, for an instant. He was poised in +the canoe, every nerve and muscle ready to leap in a second into activity, +while his ears were strained for the sounds of paddles or oars. Now he +relied, as often before, more upon hearing than sight. Presently a sound +came, and it was that of oars. A boat parted the wall of dusk and he saw +that it contained both French and Indians, eight in all, the warriors +uttering a shout as they beheld the fugitive canoe.</p> + +<p>"Keep steadily on, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "I have my long barreled +rifle, and it will carry much farther than those of the foe. In another +minute it will tell them they had best stop, and if they will not obey its +voice then I will repeat the command with your rifle."</p> + +<p>Robert heard the sharp report of Tayoga's weapon, and then a cry from the +pursuing boat, saying the bullet had found its mark.</p> + +<p>"They still come, though in a hesitating manner," said Tayoga, "and I must +even give them a second notice."</p> + +<p>Now Robert heard the crack of the other rifle, and the answering cry, +signifying that its bullet, too, had sped home.</p> + +<p>"They stop now," said Tayoga. "They heed the double command." He rapidly +reloaded the rifles, and Robert, who saw an uncommonly thick bank of dusk +ahead, paddled directly into the heart of it. They paused there a few +moments and neither saw nor heard any pursuers. Tayoga put down the rifles, +now ready again for his deadly aim, and the two kept for a long time a +straight course toward the center of the lake.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_X"></a><h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO</h3> + +<p>Tayoga, into whose hands Robert had entrusted himself with the uttermost +faith, at last said stop, and drawing the paddles into the canoe they took +long, deep breaths of relief. Around them was a world of waters, silver +under the moon and stars now piercing the dusk, and the Onondaga could see +the vast star on which sat the mighty chieftain who had gone away four +hundred years ago to eternal life.</p> + +<p>"O Tododaho," he murmured, "thou hast guarded us well."</p> + +<p>"Where do you think we are, Tayoga?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps twenty miles from land," replied the Onondaga, "and the farther +the better."</p> + +<p>"True, Tayoga. Never before did I see a big lake look so kindly. If it +didn't require so much effort I'd like to go to the very center of it and +stay there for a week."</p> + +<p>"Even as it is, Dagaeoga, we will wait here a while and take the long rest +we need."</p> + +<p>"And while we're doing nothing but swing in our great canoe, Tayoga, I want +to thank you for all you've done for me. I'd been a prisoner much longer +than I wished."</p> + +<p>"It but repays my debt, Dagaeoga. You will recall that you helped to save +me from the hands of Tandakora when he was going to burn me at the stake. +My imprisonment was short, but I have been in the forest the whole winter +and spring seeking to take you from Langlade."</p> + +<p>"All of which goes to show, Tayoga, that we must allow only one of us to be +captured at a time. The other must go free in order to rescue the one +taken."</p> + +<p>Although Robert's tone was light, his feeling was far from frivolous, but +he had been at extreme tension so long that he was compelled to seek +relief.</p> + +<p>"How did you manage it, Tayoga?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"In the confusion of the attack on the forts and the rejoicing that +followed it was easy," replied the Onondaga. "When so many others were +dancing and leaping it attracted no attention for me to dance and leap +also, and I selected, without interference, the boat, the extra paddle, +weapons and ammunition that I wished. Areskoui and Tododaho did the rest. +Do you feel stronger now, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, I'm still able to handle the paddle. I suppose we'd better seek a +landing. We can't stay out in the lake forever. Tayoga, you've taken the +part of Providence itself. Now did it occur to you in your infinite wisdom, +while you were storing paddles, weapons and ammunition in this boat, to +store food also?"</p> + +<p>The Onondaga's smile was wide and satisfying.</p> + +<p>"I thought of that, too, Dagaeoga," he replied, "because I knew our +journey, if we should be so fortunate as to have a journey, would take us +out on the lake, and I knew, also, that no matter how many hardships and +dangers Dagaeoga might pass through, the time would come when he would be +hungry. It is always so with Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>He took a heavy knapsack from the bottom of the canoe and opened it.</p> + +<p>"It is a French knapsack," he said, "and it contains both bread and meat, +which we will enjoy."</p> + +<p>They ate in great content, and their spirits rose to an extraordinary +degree, though Tayoga regretted the absence of clothing which his disguise +had made necessary. Having been educated with white lads, and having +associated with white people so much, he was usually clad as completely as +they, either in their fashion or in his own full Indian costume.</p> + +<p>"My infinite wisdom was not so infinite that it told me to take a blanket," +he said, "and the wind coming down from the Canadian shore is growing +cold."</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised to hear you speak of such trifles as that, Tayoga, when +we've been dealing with affairs of life and death."</p> + +<p>"We are cold or we are warm, Dagaeoga, and peril and suffering do not alter +it. But lo! the wind is bringing the great mists with it, and we will +escape in them."</p> + +<p>They turned the canoe toward a point far to the east of the Indian camp and +began to paddle, not hastily but with long, slow, easy strokes that sent +the canoe over the water at a great rate. The fogs and vapors were thick +and close about them, but Tayoga knew the direction. Robert asked him if he +had heard of Willet, and the Onondaga said he had not seen him, but he had +learned from a Mohawk runner that the Great Bear had reached Waraiyageh +with the news of St. Luc's prospective advance, and Tayoga had also +contrived to get news through to him that he was lying in the forest, +waiting a chance to effect the rescue of Robert.</p> + +<p>Toward morning they landed on a shore, clothed in deep and primeval forest, +and with reluctance abandoned their canoe.</p> + +<p>"It is an Abenaki craft," said Tayoga. "It is made well, it has served us +well, and we will treat it well."</p> + +<p>Instead of leaving it on the lake to the mercy of storms they drew it into +some bushes at the mouth of a small creek, where it would stay securely, +and probably serve some day some chance traveler. Then they plunged into +the deep forest, but when they saw a smoke Robert remained hidden while +Tayoga went on, but with the intention of returning.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was quite sure the smoke indicated the presence of a small +village and his quest was for clothes.</p> + +<p>"Let Dagaeoga rest in peace here in the thicket," he said, "and when I come +back I shall be clad as a man. Have no fears for me. I will not enter the +village Until after dark."</p> + +<p>He glided away without noise, and Robert, having supreme confidence in him, +lay down among the bushes, which were so dense that the keenest eyes could +not have seen him ten feet away. His frame was relaxed so thoroughly after +his immense exertions and he felt such utter thankfulness at his escape +that he soon fell into a deep slumber rather than sleep, and when he awoke +the dark had come, bringing with it Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, in a tone of intense satisfaction, "I +have done well. It is not pleasant to me to take the property of others, +but in this case what I have seized must have been captured from the +English. No watch was kept in the village, as they had heard of their great +victory and the warriors were away. I secured three splendid blankets, two +of green and one of brown. Since you have a coat, Dagaeoga, you can have +one green blanket and I will take the other two, one to wear and the other +to sleep in. I also took away more powder and lead, and as I have my bullet +molds we can increase our ammunition when we need it. I have added, too, a +supply of venison to our beef and bread."</p> + +<p>"You're an accomplished burglar, Tayoga, but I think that in this case your +patron saint, Tododaho, will forgive you. I'm devoutly glad of the blanket. +I feel stiff and sore, after such great exertions, and I find I've grown +cold with the coming of the dark."</p> + +<p>"It is a relapse," said Tayoga with some anxiety. "The strain on mind and +body has been too great. Better wrap yourself in the blanket at once, and +lie quiet in the thicket."</p> + +<p>Robert was prompt to take his advice, as his body was hot and his sight +was wavering. He felt that he was going to be ill and he might get it over +all the quicker by surrendering to it at once. He rolled the blanket +tightly about himself and lay down on the softest spot he could find. In +the night he became delirious and talked continually of Langlade, St. Luc +and Montcalm. But Tayoga watched by him continually until late, when he +hunted through the forest by moonlight for some powerful herbs known to +the Indians. In the morning he beat them and bruised them and cooked them +as best he could without utensils, and then dropped the juices into his +comrade's mouth, after which he carefully put out the fire, lest it be seen +by savage rovers.</p> + +<p>Robert was soon very much better. He had a profuse perspiration and came +out of his unconscious state, but was quite weak. He was also thoroughly +ashamed of himself.</p> + +<p>"Nice time for me to be breaking down," he said, "here in the wilderness +near an Indian village, hundreds of miles from any of our friends, save +those who are captured. I make my apologies, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"They are not needed," said the Onondaga. "You defended me with your life +when I was wounded and the wolves sought to eat me, now I repay again. +There is nothing for Dagaeoga to do but to keep on perspiring, see that the +blanket is still wrapped around him, and tonight I will get something in +which to cook the food he needs."</p> + +<p>"How will you do that?"</p> + +<p>"I will go again to my village. I call it mine because it supplies what we +need and I will return with the spoil. Bide you in peace, Dagaeoga. You +have called me an accomplished burglar. I am more, I am a great one."</p> + +<p>Robert had the utmost confidence in him, and it was justified. When he +awoke from a restless slumber, Tayoga stood beside him, holding in his hand +a small iron kettle made in Canada, and a great iron spoon.</p> + +<p>"They are the best they had in the village," he said. "It is not a large +and rich village and so its possessions are not great, but I think these +will do. I have also brought with me some very tender meat of a young deer +that I found in one of the lodges."</p> + +<p>"You're all you claimed to be and more, Tayoga," said Robert earnestly and +gratefully.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga lighted a fire in a dip, and cutting the deer into tiny bits +made a most appetizing soup, which Robert's weak stomach was able to retain +and to crave more.</p> + +<p>"No," said Tayoga, "enough for tonight, but you shall have twice as much in +the morning. Now, go to sleep again."</p> + +<p>"I haven't been doing anything but sleep for the last day or two. I want to +get up and walk."</p> + +<p>"And have your fever come back. Besides, you are not strong enough yet to +walk more than a few steps."</p> + +<p>Robert knew that he would be forced to obey, and he passed the night partly +in dozing, and partly in staring at the sky. In the morning he was very +hungry and showed an increase of strength. Tayoga, true to his word, gave +him a double portion of the soup, but still forbade sternly any attempt at +walking.</p> + +<p>"Lie there, Dagaeoga," he said, "and let the wind blow over you, and I'll +go farther into the forest to see if friend or enemy be near."</p> + +<p>Robert, feeling that he must, lay peacefully on his back after the Onondaga +left him. He was free from fever, but he knew that Tayoga was right in +forbidding him to walk. It would be several days yet before he could +fulfill his old duties, as an active and powerful forest runner. Yet he was +very peaceful because the soreness of body that had troubled him was gone +and strength was flowing back into his veins. Despite the fact that he was +lying on his back alone in the wilderness, with savage foes not far away, +he believed that he had very much for which to be grateful. He had been +taken almost by a miracle out of the hands of his foes, and, when he was +ill and in his weakness might have been devoured by wild beasts or might +have starved to death, the most loyal and resourceful of comrades had been +by his side to save him.</p> + +<p>He saw the great star on which Tayoga's Tododaho lived, and he accepted so +much of the Iroquois theology, believing that it was in spirit and essence +the same as his own Christian belief, that he almost imagined he could see +the great Onondaga chieftain who had gone away four centuries ago. In any +event, it was a beneficent star, and he was glad that it shone down on him +so brilliantly.</p> + +<p>Tayoga before his departure had loaned him one of his blankets and now he +lay upon it, with the other wrapped around him, his loaded pistol in his +belt and his loaded rifle lying by his side. The fire that the Onondaga had +built in the dip not far away had been put out carefully and the ashes had +been scattered.</p> + +<p>Although it was midsummer, the night, as often happened in that northern +latitude, had come on cool, and the warmth of the blankets was not +unwelcome. Robert knew that he was only a mote in all that vast wilderness, +but the contiguity of the Indian village might cause warriors, either +arriving or departing, to pass near him. So he was not surprised when he +heard footsteps in the bushes not far away, and then the sound of voices. +Instinctively he tried to press his body into the earth, and he also lifted +carefully the loaded rifle, but second thought told him he was not likely +to be seen.</p> + +<p>Warriors presently came so near that they were visible, and to his surprise +and alarm he saw the huge figure of Tandakora among them. They were about a +dozen in number, walking in the most leisurely manner and once stopped very +close to him to talk. Although he raised himself up a little and clutched +the rifle more tightly he was still hopeful that they would not see him. +The Ojibway chieftain was in full war paint, with a fine new American +rifle, and also a small sword swinging from his belt. Both were undoubtedly +trophies of Oswego, and it was certain that after carrying the sword for a +while as a prize he would discard it. Indians never found much use for +swords.</p> + +<p>Robert always believed that Tayoga's Tododaho protected him that night, +because for a while all the chances were against him. As the warriors stood +near talking a frightened deer started up in the thicket, and Tandakora +himself brought it down with a lucky bullet, the unfortunate animal falling +not thirty yards from the hidden youth. They removed the skin and cut it +into portions where it lay, the whole task taking about a half hour, and +all the time Robert, lying under the brush, saw them distinctly.</p> + +<p>He was in mortal fear lest one of them wander into the dip where Tayoga had +built the fire, and see traces of the ashes, but they did not do so. Twice +warriors walked in that direction and his heart was in his mouth, but in +neither case did the errand take them so far. Tandakora was not alone in +bearing Oswego spoils. Nearly all of them had something, a rifle, a pistol +or a sword, and two wore officers' laced coats over their painted bodies. +The sight filled Robert with rage. Were his people to go on this way +indefinitely, sacrificing men and posts in unrelated efforts? Would they +allow the French, with inferior numbers, to beat them continuously? He had +seen Montcalm and talked with him, and he feared everything from that +daring and tenacious leader.</p> + +<p>While the Indians prepared the deer the moon and stars came out with +uncommon brilliancy, filling the forest with a misty, silver light. Robert +now saw Tandakora and his men so clearly that it seemed impossible for them +not to see him. Once more he had the instinctive desire to press himself +into the earth, but his mind told him that absolute silence was the most +necessary thing. As he lay, he could have picked off Tandakora with a +bullet from his rifle, and, so far as the border was concerned, he felt +that his own life was worth the sacrifice, but he loved his life and the +Ojibway might be put out of the way at some other time and place.</p> + +<p>Tayoga's Tododaho protected him once more. Two of the Indians wanted water +and they started in search of a brook which was never far away in that +region. It seemed for a moment or two that they would walk directly into +the dip, where scattered ashes lay, but the great Onondaga turned them +aside just in time and they found at another point the water they wished. +Robert's extreme tension lasted until they were back with the others. +Nevertheless their harmless return encouraged him in the belief that the +star was working in his behalf.</p> + +<p>The Indians were in no hurry. They talked freely over their task of +dressing and quartering the deer, and often they were so near that Robert +could hear distinctly what they said, but only once or twice did they use a +dialect that he could understand, and then they were speaking of the great +victory of Oswego, in which they confirmed the inference, drawn from the +spoils, that they like Tandakora had taken a part. They were in high good +humor, expecting more triumphs, and regarded the new French commander, +Montcalm, as a great and invincible leader.</p> + +<p>Robert was glad, then, that he was such an insignificant mote in the +wilderness and had he the power he would have made himself so small that he +would have become invisible, but as that was impossible he still trusted +in Tayoga's Tododaho. The Indian chief gave two of the warriors an order, +and they started on a course that would have brought them straight to him. +The lad gave himself up for lost, but, intending to make a desperate fight +for it, despite his weakness, his hand crept to the hammer and trigger of +his rifle. Something moved in the thicket, a bear, perhaps, or a lynx, and +the two Indians, when they were within twenty feet of him, turned aside to +investigate it. Then they went on, and it was quite clear again to Robert +that he had been right about the friendly intervention of Tododaho.</p> + +<p>Nor was it long until the truth was demonstrated to him once more, and in a +conclusive manner. The entire party departed, taking with them the portions +of the deer, and they passed so very close to him that their wary eyes, +which always watched on all sides, would have been compelled to see him, if +Tododaho, or perhaps it was Areskoui, or even Manitou, had not seen fit +just at that moment to draw a veil before the moon and stars and make the +shadow so deep under the bush where young Lennox lay that he was invisible, +although they stepped within fifteen feet of him. They went on in their +usual single file, disappearing in the direction of the village, while he +lay still and gave thanks.</p> + +<p>They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint +rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him.</p> + +<p>"I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw," said the Onondaga. +"It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the +earth and the air. Else they would have seen you."</p> + +<p>"It is so," said Robert, devoutly, "and it makes me all the more glad to +see you, Tayoga. I hope your journey, like all the others, has been +fruitful."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga smiled in the dusk.</p> + +<p>"It is a good village to which I go," he replied in his precise fashion. +"You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English +tongue a chemist's shop. It is such that I sought in the village, and I +found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could +reach at my leisure. Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from +the essence of the sassafras root. It will purge the impurities from your +blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong. Then +your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for +a long journey. I have also brought a small sack filled with samp."</p> + +<p>Robert uttered a little cry of joy. He craved bread, or at least something +that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as +hominy, was a most acceptable substitute.</p> + +<p>"You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga," he said.</p> + +<p>"I obtained also information," continued the Onondaga. "While I lay in one +of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking. They +believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them +and the French. Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and +he will take them from one victory to another. Their defeat by Andiatarocte +is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south. But they +intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and +English. Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the +Mountain Wolf."</p> + +<p>"Rogers! Is he somewhere near us?" exclaimed Robert eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him. The +Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. +Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, +with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as +they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us."</p> + +<p>"I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you +didn't, or if I didn't rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see +I did."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades. He would never desert +a friend in the hands of the enemy."</p> + +<p>"You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his +rangers?"</p> + +<p>"Of a certainty. As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough. Now lie still, while +I scout through the forest. If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and +then you must drink, and drink deep."</p> + +<p>He made a wide circuit, and, coming back, lighted a little fire on which he +warmed the tea in the pot that he had taken from the village on an earlier +night. Then, under the insistence of Tayoga, Robert drank a quantity that +amounted to three cups, and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which he +awoke the next day with an appetite so sharp that he felt able to bite a +big piece out of a tree.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll go hunt a buffalo, kill him and eat him whole," he said in a +large, round voice.</p> + +<p>"If so Dagaeoga will have to roam far," said Tayoga sedately. "The buffalo +is not found east of the Alleghanies, as you well know."</p> + +<p>"Of course I know it, but what are time and distance to a Samson like me? I +say I will go forth and slay a buffalo, unless I am fed at once and in +enormous quantities."</p> + +<p>"Would a haunch of venison and a gallon of samp help Dagaeoga a little?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a little, they'd serve as appetizers for something real and +substantial to come."</p> + +<p>"Then if you feel so strong and are charged so full of ambition you can +help cook breakfast. You have had an easy time, Dagaeoga, but life +henceforth will not be all eating and sleeping."</p> + +<p>They had a big and pleasant breakfast together and Robert rejoiced in his +new vigor. It was wonderful to be so strong after having been so weak, it +was like life after death, and he was eager to start at once.</p> + +<p>"It is a good thing to have been ill," he said, "because then you know how +fine it is to be well."</p> + +<p>"But we will not depart before tomorrow," said the Onondaga decisively.</p> + +<p>"And why?"</p> + +<p>"Because you have lived long enough in the wilderness, Dagaeoga, to know +that one must always fight the weather. Look into the west, and you will +see a little cloud moving up from the horizon. It does not amount to much +at present, but it contains the seed of great things. It has been sent by +the Rain God, and it will not do yet for Dagaeoga, despite his new +strength, to travel in the rain."</p> + +<p>Robert became anxious as he watched the little cloud, which seemed to swell +as he looked at it, and which soon assumed an angry hue. He knew that +Tayoga had told the truth. Coming out of his fever it would be a terrible +risk for him to become drenched.</p> + +<p>"We will make a shelter such as we can in the dip where we built the fire," +said Tayoga, "and now you can use your new strength as much as you will in +wielding a tomahawk."</p> + +<p>They cut small saplings with utmost speed and speedily accomplished one of +the most difficult tasks of the border, making a rude brush shelter which +with the aid of their blankets would protect them from the storm. By the +time they had finished, the little cloud which had been at first a mere +signal had grown so prodigiously that it covered the whole heavens, and the +day became almost as dark as twilight. The lightning began to flash in +great, blazing strokes, and the thunder was so nearly continuous that the +earth kept up an incessant jarring. Then the rain poured heavily and Robert +saw Tayoga's wisdom. Although the shelter and his blanket kept the rain +from him he felt cold in the damp, and shivered as if with a chill.</p> + +<p>"When the storm stops, which will not be before dark," said Tayoga, "I +shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe. They have some, +acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them +belongs to you. So, Dagaeoga, I will get it."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already. I can make out very +well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet."</p> + +<p>"I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right. We work +together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one +member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of +battle. And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar? I +prove it anew tonight. As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, +the great storehouse of our supplies."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert +saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for +him to say more. The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank +to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert's teeth +chattered, despite every effort to control his body.</p> + +<p>"I go, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "and I shall return with the great, warm +buffalo robe that belongs to you."</p> + +<p>Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone. He +knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt +his success. The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, +and some of it seeped through. Now and then a drop found its way down his +neck, and it felt like ice. Physically he was very miserable, and it began +to depress his spirit. He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining +the buffalo robe.</p> + +<p>The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely. +There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more. He sank +into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened +by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter. It was Tayoga, and +he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm.</p> + +<p>"I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga," he said +cheerfully. "It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had +to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his +warriors to claim shelter, food and rest. Then I took what was your own and +here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen."</p> + +<p>He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and +the sight of it made Robert's teeth stop chattering. He wrapped it around +his body and sufficient warmth came back.</p> + +<p>"You're a marvel, Tayoga," he said. "Does the village contain anything else +that belongs to us?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that I can think of now. The rain will cease entirely in an hour, +and then we will start."</p> + +<p>His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert +wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in +his frame. But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a +good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came +they were only a few miles away. Robert's strength, however, stood the +test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast. Much +refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much +more than motes in the wilderness. Robert hoped that some chance would +enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the +place of a father to him. It did not seem possible that the Great Bear +could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have +been fought since his capture. He could not associate death with a man so +powerful and vital as Willet.</p> + +<p>The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe. It was quite +a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came +and particularly if there were other storms. They saw many trails in the +afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands. Nearly all +of them led southeast.</p> + +<p>"The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes," he said, "have heard +of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, +expecting many scalps and great spoils. Whenever the French win a triumph +it means more warriors for them."</p> + +<p>"And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?"</p> + +<p>"It is likely, Dagaeoga. But if it comes to battle see how much better it +is that you should be strong and able."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as +we did."</p> + +<p>The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced. Evidently swarms of +warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted.</p> + +<p>"It will not be wise for us to advance farther," he said. "We must seek +some hiding place."</p> + +<p>"Hark to that!" exclaimed Robert.</p> + +<p>A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear. Tayoga listened +intently, and it was repeated once.</p> + +<p>"Pursuit!" he said briefly. "They have come by chance upon our trail. It +may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate. They will never leave us +now, unless they are driven back."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the +swarms are sure to be to the south of us."</p> + +<p>"It is so. Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we +will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also. I once left a +canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it."</p> + +<p>"What will we do with it if we find it?"</p> + +<p>"Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe. But now we must +press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga. See, there is a smoke in the south +and now another answers it in the north. They are talking about us."</p> + +<p>Robert saw the familiar signals which always meant peril to them, and he +was willing to go forward at the uttermost speed. He had become hardened in +a measure to danger, though it seemed to him that he was passing through +enough of it to last a lifetime. But his soul rose to meet it.</p> + +<p>They used all the customary devices to hide their traces, wading when there +was water, walking on stones or logs when they were available, but they +knew these stratagems would only delay Tandakora, they could not throw him +off the trail entirely. They hoped more from the coming dark, and, when +night came, it found them going at great speed. Just at twilight they heard +a faint shout again and the faint shout in reply, telling them the pursuit +was maintained, but the night fortunately proved to be very dark, and, an +hour or two later, they came to a heavy windrow, the result of some old +hurricane into which they drew for shelter and rest. They knew that not +even the Indian trailers could find them there in such darkness, and for +the present they were without apprehension.</p> + +<p>"Do you think they will pass us in the night?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Tayoga. "They will wait until the dawn and pick up the trail +anew."</p> + +<p>"Then we'd better start again about midnight."</p> + +<p>"I think so, too."</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, lying comfortably among the fallen trees and leaves, they waited +in silence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XI"></a><h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE MYSTIC VOYAGE</h3> + +<p>The long stay in the windrow served Robert well, more than atoning for the +drain made upon his strength by their rapid flight. In three or four hours +he was back in his normal state, and he felt proudly that he was now as +good as he had ever been. The night, as they had expected, was cold, and he +was thankful that he had hung on to the buffalo robe, in which he wrapped +himself once more, while Tayoga was snug between two big blankets.</p> + +<p>Robert dozed, but he was awakened by something stirring near them, and he +sat up with his finger on the trigger of his rifle. The Onondaga was +already listening and watching, ready with his weapon. Presently the white +youth heard his companion laughing softly, and his own tension relaxed, as +he knew Tayoga would not laugh without good cause.</p> + +<p>"It is a bear," said Tayoga, "and he has a lair in the windrow, not more +than twenty feet away. He has been out very late at night, too late for a +good, honest home-keeping bear, but he is back at last, and he smells us."</p> + +<p>"And alarmed by the odor he does not know whether to enter his home or not. +Well, I hope he'll conclude to take his rest. We eat bear at times, +Tayoga, but just now I wouldn't dream of harming one."</p> + +<p>"Nor would I, Dagaeoga, and maybe the bear will divine that we are +harmless, that is, Tododaho or Areskoui will tell him in some way of which +we know nothing that his home is his own to be entered without fear."</p> + +<p>"I think I hear him moving now, and also puffing a little."</p> + +<p>"You hear aright, Dagaeoga. Tododaho has whispered to him, even as I said, +and he is going into his den which I know is snug and warm, in the very +thickest part of the windrow. Now he is lying down in it with the logs and +branches about him, and soon he will be asleep, dreaming happy dreams of +tender roots and wild honey with no stings of bees to torment him."</p> + +<p>"You grow quite poetical, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Although foes are hunting us, I feel the spirit of the forest and of peace +strong upon me, Dagaeoga. Moreover, Tododaho, as I told you, has whispered +to the animals that we are not to be feared tonight. Hark to the tiny +rustling just beyond the log against which we lie!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I hear it, and what do you make of it, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"Rabbits seeking their nests. They, too, have snuffed about, noticing the +man odor, which man himself cannot detect, and once they started away in +alarm, but now they are reassured, and they have settled themselves down to +sleep in comfort and security."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, you talk well and fluently, but as I have told you before, you +talk out of a dictionary."</p> + +<p>"But as I learned my English out of a dictionary I cannot talk otherwise. +That is why my language is always so much superior to yours, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"I'll let it be as you claim it, you boaster, but what noise is that now? I +seem to hear the light sound of hoofs."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga raised himself to his full height and peered over the dense +masses of trunks and boughs, his keen eyes cutting the thick dusk. Then he +sank back, and, when he replied, his voice showed distinct pleasure.</p> + +<p>"Two deer have come into a little open space, around which the arms of the +windrow stretch nearly all the way, and they have crouched there, where +they will rest, indifferent to the nearness of the bear. Truly, O Dagaeoga, +we have come into the midst of a happy family, and we have been accepted, +for the night, as members of it."</p> + +<p>"It must be so, Tayoga, because I see a figure much larger than that of the +deer approaching. Look to the north and behold that shadow there under the +trees."</p> + +<p>"I see it, Dagaeoga. It is the great northern moose, a bull. Perhaps he has +wandered down from Canada, as they are rare here. They are often +quarrelsome, but the bull is going to take his rest, within the shelter of +the windrow, and leave its other people at peace. Now he has found a good +place, and he will be quiet for the night."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you sleep a while, Tayoga. You have done all the watching for a +long time, and, as I'm fit and fine now, it's right for me to take up my +share of the burden."</p> + +<p>"Very well, but do not fail to awaken me in about three hours. We must not +be caught here in the morning by the warriors."</p> + +<p>He was asleep almost instantly, and Robert sat in a comfortable position +with his rifle across his knees. Responsibility brought back to him +self-respect and pride. He was now a full partner in the partnership, and +will and strength together made his faculties so keen that it would have +been difficult for anything about the windrow to have escaped his +attention. He heard the light rustlings of other animals coming to comfort +and safety, and flutterings as birds settled on upthrust boughs, many of +which were still covered with leaves. Once he heard a faint shout deep in +the forest, brought by the wind a great distance, and he was sure that it +was the cry of their Indian pursuers. Doubtless it was a signal and had +connection with the search, but he felt no alarm. Under the cover of +darkness Tayoga and he were still motes in the wilderness, and, while the +night lasted, Tandakora could not find them.</p> + +<p>When he judged that the three hours had passed he awoke the Onondaga and +they took their silent way north by east, covering much more distance by +dawn. But both were certain that warriors of Tandakora would pick up their +traces again that day. They would spread through the forest, and, when one +of them struck the trail, a cry would be sufficient to call the others. +But they pressed on, still adopting every possible device to throw off +their pursuers, and they continued their flight several days, always +through an unbroken forest, over hills and across many streams, large and +small. It seemed, at times, to Robert that the pursuit must have dropped +away, but Tayoga was quite positive that Tandakora still followed. The +Ojibway, he said, had divined the identity of the fugitives and every +motive would make him follow, even all the way across the Province of New +York and beyond, if need be.</p> + +<p>They came at last to a lake, large, beautiful, extending many miles through +the wilderness, and Tayoga, usually so calm, uttered a little cry of +delight, which Robert repeated, but in fuller volume.</p> + +<p>"I think lakes are the finest things in the world," he said. "They always +stir me."</p> + +<p>"And that is why Manitou put so many and such splendid ones in the land of +the Hodenosaunee," said Tayoga. "This is Ganoatohale, which you call in +your language Oneida, and it is on its shores that I hid the canoe of which +I spoke to you. I think we shall find it just as I left it."</p> + +<p>"I devoutly hope so. A canoe and paddles would give me much pleasure just +now, and Ganoatohale will leave no trail."</p> + +<p>They walked northward along the shore of the lake, and they came to a place +where many tall reeds grew thick and close in shallow water. Tayoga plunged +into the very heart of them and Robert's heart rose with a bound, when he +reappeared dragging after him a large and strong canoe, containing two +paddles.</p> + +<p>"It has rested in quiet waiting for us," he said. "It is a good canoe, and +it knew that I would come some time to claim it."</p> + +<p>"Before we go upon our voyage," said Robert, "I think we shall have to pay +some attention to the question of food. My pouch is about empty."</p> + +<p>"And so is mine. We shall have to take the risk, Dagaeoga, and shoot a +deer. Tandakora may be so far behind that none of his warriors will hear +the shot, but even so we cannot live without eating. We will, however, hunt +from the canoe. Since the war began, all human beings have gone away from +this lake, and the deer should be plentiful."</p> + +<p>They launched the canoe on the deep waters, and the two took up the +paddles, sending their little craft northward, with slow, deliberate +strokes. They had the luck within the hour to find a deer drinking, and +with equal luck Robert slew it at the first shot. They would have taken the +body into the canoe, but the burden was too great, and Tayoga cut it up and +dressed it with great dispatch, while Robert watched. Then they made room +for the four quarters and again paddled northward. Fearing that Tandakora +had come much nearer, while they were busy with the deer, they did not dare +the wide expanse of the lake, but remained for the present under cover of +the overhanging forest on the western shore.</p> + +<p>"If we put the lake between Tandakora and ourselves," said Robert, "we +ought to be safe."</p> + +<p>"It is likely that they, too, have canoes hidden in the reeds," said +Tayoga. "Since the French and their allies have spread so far south they +would provide for the time when they wanted to go upon the waters of +Ganoatohale. It is almost a certainty that we shall be pursued upon the +lake."</p> + +<p>They continued northward, never leaving the dark shadow cast by the dense +leafage, and, as they went slowly, they enjoyed the luxury of the canoe. +After so much walking through the wilderness it was a much pleasanter +method of traveling. But they did not forget vigilance, continually +scanning the waters, and Robert's heart gave a sudden beat as he saw a +black dot appear upon the surface of the lake in the south. It was followed +in a moment by another, then another and then three more.</p> + +<p>"It is the band of Tandakora, beyond a doubt," said Tayoga with conviction. +"They had their canoes among the reeds even as we had ours, and now it is +well for us that water leaves no trail."</p> + +<p>"Shall we hide the canoe again, and take to the woods?"</p> + +<p>"I think not, Dagaeoga. They have had no chance to see us yet. We will +withdraw among the reeds until night comes, and then under its cover cross +Ganoatohale."</p> + +<p>Keeping almost against the bank, they moved gently until they came to a +vast clump of reeds into which they pushed the canoe, while retaining their +seats in it. In the center they paused and waited. From that point they +could see upon the lake, while remaining invisible themselves, and they +waited.</p> + +<p>The six canoes or large boats, they could not tell at the distance which +they were, went far out into the lake, circled around for a while, and then +bore back toward the western shore, along which they passed, inspecting it +carefully, and drawing steadily nearer to Robert and Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"Now, let us give thanks to Tododaho, Areskoui and to Manitou himself," +said the Onondaga, "that they have been pleased to make the reeds grow in +this particular place so thick and so tall."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Robert, "they're fine reeds, beautiful reeds, a greater bulwark +to us just now than big oaks could be. Think you, Tayoga, that you +recognize the large man in the first boat?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, I know him, as you do also. How could we mistake our great +enemy, Tandakora? It is a formidable fleet, too strong for us to resist, +and, like the wise man, we hide when we cannot fight."</p> + +<p>Robert's pulses beat so hard they hurt, but he would not show any +uneasiness in the presence of Tayoga, and he sat immovable in the canoe. +Nearer and nearer came the Indian fleet, partly of canoes and partly of +boats, and he counted in them sixteen warriors, all armed heavily. Now he +prayed to Manitou, and to his own God who was the same as Manitou, that no +thought of pushing among the reeds would enter Tandakora's head. The fleet +soon came abreast of them, but his prayers were answered, as Tandakora led +ahead, evidently thinking the fugitives would not dare to hide and lie in +waiting, but would press on in flight up the western shore.</p> + +<p>"I could pick him off from here with a bullet," said Robert, looking at the +huge, painted chest of the Ojibway chief.</p> + +<p>"But our lives would be the forfeit," the Onondaga whispered back.</p> + +<p>"I had no intention of doing it."</p> + +<p>"Now they have passed us, and for the while we are safe. They will go on up +the lake, until they find no trace of us there, and then Tandakora will +come back."</p> + +<p>"But how does he know we have a canoe?"</p> + +<p>"He does not know it, but he feels sure of it because our trail led +straight to the lake, and we would not purposely come up against such a +barrier, unless we knew of a way to cross it."</p> + +<p>"That sounds like good logic. Of course when they return they'll make a +much more thorough search of the lake's edge, and then they'd be likely to +find us if we remained here."</p> + +<p>"It is so, but perhaps the night will come before Tandakora, and then we'll +take flight upon the lake."</p> + +<p>They pushed their canoe back to the edge of the reeds, and watched the +Indian boats passing in single file northward, becoming smaller and smaller +until they almost blended with the water, but both knew they would return, +and in that lay their great danger. The afternoon was well advanced, but +the sun was very brilliant, and it was hot within the reeds. Great +quantities of wild fowl whirred about them and along the edges of the +lake.</p> + +<p>"No warriors are in hiding near us," said Tayoga, "or the wild fowl would +fly away. We can feel sure that we have only Tandakora and his band to +fear."</p> + +<p>Robert had never watched the sun with more impatience. It was already going +down the western arch, but it seemed to him to travel with incredible +slowness. Far in the north the Indian boats were mere black dots on the +water, but they were turning. Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he +said. "We can gain at least that much advantage."</p> + +<p>Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, +extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting +shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than +one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open +water. Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited +the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety. They recognized that +their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so. If only the night +would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although +at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly +that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side +to darkness.</p> + +<p>The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank. It poured +showers of rays upon the broad surface of the lake, and the silver of the +waters turned to orange and gold. Everything there was enlarged and made +more vivid, standing out twofold against the burning western background. +Nothing beyond the shadow could escape the observation of the Indians in +the boats, and they themselves in Robert's intense imagination changed from +a line of six light craft into a great fleet.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless the sun, lingering as if it preferred their side of the world +to any other, was bound to go at last. The deep colors in the water faded. +The orange and gold changed back to silver, and the silver, in its turn, +gave way to gray, twilight began to draw a heavy veil over the east, and +Tayoga said in deep tones:</p> + +<p>"Lo, the Sun God has decided that we may escape! He will let the night come +before Tandakora!"</p> + +<p>Then the sun departed all at once, and the brilliant afterglow soon faded. +Night settled down, thick and dark, with the waters, ruffled by a light +wind, showing but dimly. The line of Tandakora became invisible, and the +two youths felt intense relief.</p> + +<p>"Now we will start toward the northeastern end of the lake," said Tayoga. +"It will be wiser than to seek the shortest road across, because Tandakora +will think naturally that we have gone that way, and he will take it also."</p> + +<p>"And it's paddling all night for us," said Robert "Well, I welcome it."</p> + +<p>They were interrupted by the whirring of the wild fowl again, though on a +much greater scale than before. The twilight was filled with feathered +bodies. Tayoga, in an instant, was all attention.</p> + +<p>"Something has frightened them," he said.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps a bear or a deer," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"I think not. They are used to wild animals, and would not be startled at +their approach. There is only one being that everything in the forest +generally fears."</p> + +<p>"Man?"</p> + +<p>"Even so, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps we'd better pull in close to the bank and look."</p> + +<p>"It would be wise."</p> + +<p>Robert saw that the Onondaga, with his acute instincts, was deeply alarmed, +and he too felt that the wild fowl had given warning. They sent the canoe +with a few silent strokes through the shallow water almost to the edge of +the land, and, as it nearly struck bottom, two dusky figures rising among +the bushes threw their weight upon them. The light craft sank almost to the +edges with the weight, but did not overturn, and both attackers and +attacked fell out of it into the lake.</p> + +<p>Robert for a moment saw a dusky face above him, and instinctively he +clasped the body of a warrior in his arms. Then the two went down together +in the water. The Indian was about to strike at him with a knife, but the +lake saved him. As the water rushed into eye, mouth and nostril the two +fell apart, but Robert was able to keep his presence of mind in that +terrible moment, and, as he came up again, he snatched out his own knife +and struck almost blindly.</p> + +<p>He felt the blade encounter resistance, and then pass through it. He heard +a choked cry and he shuddered violently. All his instincts were for +civilization and against the taking of human life, and he had struck merely +to save his own, but almost articulate words of thankfulness bubbled to his +lips as he saw the dark figure that had hovered so mercilessly over him +disappear. Then a second figure took the place of the first and he drew +back the fatal blade again, but a soft voice said:</p> + +<p>"Do not strike, Dagaeoga. I also have accounted for one of the warriors who +attacked us, and no more have yet come. We may thank the wild fowl. Had +they not warned us we should have perished."</p> + +<p>"And even then we had luck, or your Tododaho is still watching over us. I +struck at random, but the blade was guided to its mark."</p> + +<p>"And so was mine. What you say is also proved to be true by the fact that +the canoe did not overturn, when they threw themselves upon us. The chances +were at least ninety-nine out of a hundred that it would do so."</p> + +<p>"And our arms and ammunition and our deer?"</p> + +<p>"All in the canoe, except the weapons that are in our belts."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, it is quite sure that your Tododaho has been watching over +us. But where is the canoe?"</p> + +<p>Robert was filled with alarm and horror. They were standing above their +knees in the water, and they no longer saw the little craft, which had +become a veritable ship of refuge to them. They peered about frantically +in the dusk and then Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"There is a strong breeze blowing from the land and waves are beginning to +run on the water. They have taken the canoe out into the lake. We must swim +in search of it."</p> + +<p>"And if we don't find it?"</p> + +<p>"Then we drown, but O Dagaeoga, death in the water is better than death in +the fires that Tandakora will kindle."</p> + +<p>"We might escape into the woods."</p> + +<p>"Warriors who have come upon our trail are there, and would fall upon us at +once. The attack by the two who failed proves their presence."</p> + +<p>"Then, Tayoga, we must take the perilous chance and swim for the canoe."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga."</p> + +<p>Both were splendid swimmers, even with their clothes on, and, wading out +until the water was above their waists, they began to swim with strong and +steady strokes toward the middle of the lake, following with exactness the +course of the wind. All the time they sought with anxious eyes through the +dusk for a darker shadow that might be the canoe. The wind rose rapidly, +and now and then the crest of a wave dashed over them. Less expert swimmers +would have sunk, but their muscles were hardened by years of forest +life—all Robert's strength had come back to him—and an immense vitality +made the love of life overwhelming in them. They fought with all the +powers of mind and body for the single chance of overtaking the canoe.</p> + +<p>"I hope you see it, Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Not yet," replied the Onondaga. "The darkness is heavy over the lake, and +the mists and vapors, rising from the water, increase it."</p> + +<p>"It was a fine canoe, Tayoga, and it holds our rifles, our ammunition, our +deer, my buffalo robe, and all our precious belongings. We have to find +it."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Dagaeoga. We have no other choice. We truly swim for life. One +could pray at this time to have all the powers of a great fish. Do you see +anything behind us?"</p> + +<p>Robert twisted his head and looked over his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I see no pursuit," he replied. "I cannot even see the shore, as the mists +and vapors have settled down between. In a sense we're out at sea, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"And Ganoatohale is large. The canoe, too, is afloat upon its bosom and is, +as you say, out at sea. We and it must meet or we are lost. Are you weary, +Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet. I can still swim for quite a while."</p> + +<p>"Then float a little, and we can take the exact course of the wind again. +The canoe, of course, will continue to go the way the wind goes."</p> + +<p>"Unless it's deflected by currents which do not always follow the wind."</p> + +<p>"I do not notice any current, and to follow the wind is our only hope. The +mists and vapors will hide the canoe from us until we are very close to it"</p> + +<p>"And you may thank Tododaho that they will hide something else also. +Unless I make a great mistake, Tayoga, I hear the swish of paddles."</p> + +<p>"You make no mistake, Dagaeoga. I too hear paddles, ten, a dozen, or more +of them. It is the fleet of Tandakora coming back and it will soon be +passing between us and the shore. Truly we may be thankful, as you say, for +the mists and vapors which, while they hide the canoe from us, also hide us +from our enemies."</p> + +<p>"I shall lie flat upon my back and float, and I'll blend with the water."</p> + +<p>"It is a wise plan, Dagaeoga. So shall I. Then Tandakora himself would not +see us, even if he passed within twenty feet of us."</p> + +<p>"He is passing now, and I can see the outlines of their boats."</p> + +<p>The two were silent as the fish themselves, sustained by imperceptible +strokes, and Robert saw the fleet of Tandakora pass in a ghostly line. They +looked unreal, a shadow following shadows, the huge figure of the Ojibway +chief in the first boat a shadow itself. Robert's blood chilled, and it was +not from the cold of the water. He was in a mystic and unreal world, but a +world in which danger pressed in on every side. He felt like one living +back in a primeval time. The swish of the paddles was doubled and tripled +by his imagination, and the canoes seemed to be almost on him.</p> + +<p>The questing eyes of Tandakora and his warriors swept the waters as far as +the night, surcharged with mists and vapors, would allow, but they did not +see the two human figures, so near them and almost submerged in the lake. +The sound of the swishing paddles moved southward, and the line of ghostly +canoes melted again, one by one, into the darkness.</p> + +<p>"They're gone, Tayoga," whispered Robert in a tone of immense relief.</p> + +<p>"So they are, Dagaeoga, and they will seek us long elsewhere. Are you yet +weary?"</p> + +<p>"I might be at another time, but with my life at stake I can't afford to +grow tired. Let us follow the wind once more."</p> + +<p>They swam anew with powerful strokes, despite the long time they had been +in the water, and no sailors, dying of thirst, ever scanned the sea more +eagerly for a sail than they searched through the heavy dusk for their lost +canoe. The wind continued to rise, and the waves with it. Foam was often +dashed over their heads, the water grew cold to their bodies, now and then +they floated on their backs to rest themselves and thus the singular chase, +with the wind their only guide, was maintained.</p> + +<p>Robert was the first to see a dim shape, but he would not say anything +until it grew in substance and solidity. Nevertheless hope flooded his +heart, and then he said:</p> + +<p>"The wind has guided us aright, Tayoga. Unless some evil spirit has taught +my eyes to lie to me that is our canoe straight ahead."</p> + +<p>"It has all the appearance of a canoe, Dagaeoga, and since the only canoe +on this part of the lake is our canoe, then our canoe it is."</p> + +<p>"And none too soon. I'm not yet worn out, but the cold of the water is +entering my bones. I can see very clearly now that it's the canoe, our +canoe. It stands up like a ship, the strongest canoe, the finest canoe, the +friendliest canoe that ever floated on a lake or anywhere else. I can hear +it saying to us: 'I have been waiting for you. Why didn't you come +sooner?'"</p> + +<p>"Truly when Dagaeoga is an old, old man, nearly a hundred, and the angel of +death comes for him, he will rise up in his bed and with the rounded words +pouring from his lips he will say to the angel: 'Let me make a speech only +an hour long and then I will go with you without trouble, else I stay here +and refuse to die.'"</p> + +<p>"I'm using words to express my gratitude, Tayoga. Look, the canoe is moving +slowly toward the center of the lake, but it stays back as much as the wind +will let it and keeps beckoning to us. A few more long, swift strokes, +Tayoga, and we're beside it."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, and we must be careful how we climb into it. It is no light +task to board a canoe in the middle of a lake. Since Tododaho would not let +it be overturned, when we fell out of it, we must not overturn it ourselves +when we get back into it, else we lose all our arms, ammunition and other +supplies."</p> + +<p>The canoe was now not more than fifty feet in front of them, moving +steadily farther and farther from land before the wind that blew out of the +west, but, sitting upright on the waters like a thing of life, bearing its +precious freight. The mists and vapors had closed in so much now that their +chance of seeing it had been only one in a thousand, and yet that lone +chance had happened. The devout soul of Tayoga was filled with gratitude. +Even while swimming he looked up at the great star that he could not see +beyond the thick veil of cloud, but, knowing it was there, he returned +thanks to the mighty Onondaga chieftain who had saved them so often.</p> + +<p>"The canoe retreats before us, Dagaeoga," he said, "but it is not to escape +us, it is to beckon us on, out of the path of Tandakora's boats which soon +may be returning again and which will now come farther out into the lake, +thinking that we may possibly have made a dash under the cover of the +mists."</p> + +<p>"What you predict is already coming true, Tayoga," said Robert, "because I +hear the first faint dip of their paddles once more, and they can't be more +than two hundred yards behind us."</p> + +<p>The regular swishing grew louder and came closer, but the courage of the +two youths was still high. They had been drawn on so steadily by the canoe, +apparently in a predestined course, and they had been victors over so many +dangers, that they were confident the boats of Tandakora would pass once +more and leave them unseen.</p> + +<p>"They're almost abreast of us now, Tayoga," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, looking back. "They do not appear +through the mist and we hear only the paddles, but we know the threat is +there, and we can follow them as well with ear as with eye. They keep +straight on, going back toward the north. Nothing tells them we are here, +as our canoe beckons to us, nothing guides them to that for which they are +looking. Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and +now it is gone wholly. They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the +last of our strength and overtake the canoe."</p> + +<p>They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the +side of the canoe. Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the +first to climb into it. The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few +minutes exhausted on the bottom. Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full +voice:</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, +because we have looked into the face of death."</p> + +<p>Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga +that their escape was a miracle. His nature contained much that was devout +and spiritual and he, too, with his impressionable imagination, peopled +earth and air almost unconsciously with spirits, good and bad. The good and +bad often fought together, and sometimes the good prevailed as they had +just done. There lay in the canoe the paddles, which they had lifted out of +the water in their surprise at the sudden attack, and beside them were the +rifles and everything else they needed.</p> + +<p>They were content to let the canoe travel its own course for a long time, +and that course was definite and certain, as if guided by the hand of man. +The wind always carried it toward the northeast and farther and farther +away from the fleet of Tandakora. But they took off their clothing, wrung +out as much water as they could, and wrapped themselves in the dry blankets +from their packs. Robert's spirits, stimulated by the reaction, bubbled up +in a wonderful manner.</p> + +<p>"We'll see no more of Tandakora for a long time, at least," he exclaimed, +"and now, ho! for our wonderful voyage!"</p> + +<p>They drew the wet charges from their pistols and reloaded them, they +polished anew their hatchets and knives and then, these tasks done, they +still sat for a long time in the canoe, idle and content. Their little boat +needed no help or guidance from their hands. That favoring wind always +carried it away from their enemies and in the direction in which they +wished it to go. And yet the wind did not blow away the mists and vapors, +that grew thicker and thicker around them, until they could not see twenty +feet away.</p> + +<p>Robert's feeling that they were protected, his sense of the spiritual and +mystic, grew, and he saw that the mind of Tayoga was under the same spell. +The waters of the lake were friendly now. As they lapped around the canoe +they made a soothing sound, and the wind that guided and propelled them +sang a low but pleasant song.</p> + +<p>"We are in the arms of Tododaho," said Tayoga in a reverential tone, "and +Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, also looks on and smiles. What need for us to +strive when the gods themselves take us in their keeping?"</p> + +<p>Hours passed before they spoke again. They had been at the uttermost verge +of exhaustion when they climbed into the canoe, and perhaps physical +weakness had made their minds more receptive to the belief that they were +in hands mightier than their own, but even as strength came back the +conviction remained in all its primitive force. Warmth returned to their +bodies, wrapped in the blankets, and they felt an immense peace. Midnight +passed and the boat bore steadily on with its two silent occupants.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>THE MARVELOUS TRAILER</h3> + +<p>"Where are we, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>Robert stirred from a doze and the words were involuntary. He looked upon +water, covered with mists and vapors, and the driving wind was still behind +them.</p> + +<p>"I know not, Dagaeoga," replied the Onondaga in devout tones. "I too have +dozed for a while, and awoke to find nothing changed. All I know is that we +are yet on the bosom of Ganoatohale, and that the west wind has borne us +on. I have always loved the west wind, Dagaeoga. Its breath is sweet on my +face. It comes from the setting sun, from the greatest of all seas that +lies beyond our continent, it blows over the vast unknown plains that are +trodden by the buffalo in myriads, it comes across the mighty forests of +the great valley, it is loaded with all the odors and perfumes of our +immense land, and now it carries us, too, to safety."</p> + +<p>"You talk in hexameters, Tayoga, but I think your rhapsody is justified. I +also have plenty of cause now to love the west wind. How long do you think +it will be until we feel the dawn on our faces?"</p> + +<p>"Two hours, perhaps, but we may reach land before then. While I cannot +smell the dawn I seem to perceive the odor of the forest. Now it grows +stronger, and lo, Dagaeoga, there is another sign! Do you not notice it?"</p> + +<p>"No, what is it?"</p> + +<p>"The west wind that has served us so well is dying. <i>Gaoh</i>, which in +our language of the Hodenosaunee is the spirit of the winds, knows that we +need it no more. Surely the land is near because <i>Gaoh</i> after being a +benevolent spirit to us so long would not desert us at the last moment."</p> + +<p>"I think you must be right, Tayoga, because now I also notice the strong, +keen perfume of the woods, and our west wind has sunk to almost nothing."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Dagaeoga, it is more than that. It has died wholly. <i>Gaoh</i> +tells us that having brought us so near the land we can now fend for +ourselves."</p> + +<p>The air became absolutely still, the swell ceased, the surface of the lake +became as smooth as glass, and, as if swept back by a mighty, unseen hand, +the mists and vapors suddenly floated away toward the east. Tayoga and +Robert uttered cries of admiration and gratitude, as a high, green shore +appeared, veiled but not hidden in the dusk.</p> + +<p>"So Tododaho has brought us safely across the waters of Ganoatohale," said +the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea of the point to which we have come?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p>"No, but it is sufficient that we have come to the shore anywhere. And see, +Dagaeoga, the mists and vapors still hang heavily over the western half of +the lake, forming an impenetrable wall that shuts us off from Tandakora +and his warriors. Truly we are for the time the favorites of the gods."</p> + +<p>"Even so, Tayoga, you see, too, that we have come to land just where a +little river empties into the lake, and we can go on up it."</p> + +<p>They paddled with vigorous arms into the mouth of the stream, and did not +stop until the day came. It was a beautiful little river, the massed +vegetation growing in walls of green to the very water's edge, the songs of +innumerable birds coming out of the cool gloom on either side. Robert was +enchanted. His spirits were still at the high key to which they had been +raised by the events of the night. Both he and Tayoga had enjoyed many +hours of rest in the canoe, and now they were keen and strong for the day's +work. So, it was long after dawn when they stopped paddling, and pushed +their prow into a little cove.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Robert, "I think we can land, dress, and cook some of this +precious deer, which we have brought with us in spite of everything."</p> + +<p>Their clothing had been dried by the sun, and they resumed it. Then, taking +all risks, they lighted a fire, broiled tender steaks and ate like giants +who had finished great labors.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Tayoga, "that when we proceed a few miles farther it will +be better to leave the canoe. It is likely that as we advance the river +will become narrower, and we would be an easy target for a shot from the +bank."</p> + +<p>"I don't like to abandon a canoe which has brought us safely across the +lake."</p> + +<p>"We will put it away where it can await our coming another time. But I +think we can dare the river for some distance yet."</p> + +<p>Robert had spoken for the sake of precaution, and he was easily persuaded +to continue in the river some miles, as traveling by canoe was pleasant, +and after their miraculous escape or rather rescue, as it seemed to them, +their spirits, already high, were steadily rising higher. The lone little +river of the north, on which they were traveling, presented a spectacle of +uncommon beauty. Its waters flowed in a clear, silver stream down to the +lake, deeper in tint on the still reaches, and, flashing in the sunlight, +where it rushed over the shallows.</p> + +<p>All the time they moved between two lofty, green walls, the forest growing +so densely on either shore that they could not see back into it more than +fifty yards, while the green along its lower edges was dotted with pink and +blue and red, where the delicate wild flowers were blooming. The birds in +the odorous depths of the foliage sang incessantly, and Robert had never +before heard them sing so sweetly.</p> + +<p>"I don't think any of our foes can be in ambush along the river," he said. +"It's too peaceful and the birds sing with too much enthusiasm. You +remember how they warned us of danger once by all going away?"</p> + +<p>"True, Dagaeoga, and at any time now they may leave. But, like you, I am +willing to take the risk for several hours more. Most of the warriors must +be far south of us unless the rangers are in this region, and a special +force has been sent to meet them."</p> + +<p>They came by and by to a long stretch of rippling shallows, and they were +compelled to carry the canoe with its load through the woods and around +them, the task, owing to the density of the forest and thicket and the +weight of their burden, straining their muscles and drawing perspiration +from their faces. But they took consolation from the fact that game was +amazingly plentiful. Deer sprang up everywhere, and twice they caught +glimpses of bears shambling away. Squirrels chattered over their heads and +the little people of the forest rustled all about them.</p> + +<p>"It shows that no human being has been through here recently," said Tayoga, +"else the game, big and little, would not have been stirring abroad with so +much confidence."</p> + +<p>"Then as soon as we make the portage we can return to the river with the +canoe."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga grows lazy. Does he not know that to do the hard thing +strengthens both mind and body? Has he forgotten what Mynheer Jacobus +Huysman told us so often in Albany? Now is a splendid opportunity for +Dagaeoga to harden himself a great deal."</p> + +<p>"I realize it, Tayoga, but I don't want my mind and body to grow too hard. +When one is all steel one ceases to be receptive. Can you see the river +through the trees there?"</p> + +<p>"I catch the glitter of sunlight on the water."</p> + +<p>"I hope it looks like deep water."</p> + +<p>"It is sufficient to float the canoe and the lazy Dagaeoga can take to his +paddle again."</p> + +<p>They put their boat back into the stream, uttering great sighs of relief, +and resumed the far more pleasant travel by water, the day remaining golden +as if doing its best to please them. They had another long stretch of good +water, and they did not stop until they were well into the afternoon. Then +Tayoga proposed that they make a fire and cook all of the deer.</p> + +<p>"It seems that the risk here is not great," he said, "and we may not have +the chance later on."</p> + +<p>Robert, who still felt that they were protected and that for a day or two +no harm could come to them under any circumstances, was more than willing, +and they spent the remainder of the day in their culinary task. After dark +he slept three hours, to be followed by Tayoga for the same length of time, +and about midnight they started up the stream again, with their food cooked +and ready beside them.</p> + +<p>Although the Onondaga shared Robert's feeling that they were protected for +the time, both exercised all their usual caution, believing thoroughly in +the old saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. It was this +watchfulness, particularly of ear, that caused them to hear the dip of +paddles approaching up the stream. Softly and in silence, they lifted the +canoe out of water and hid with it in the greenwood. Then they saw a fleet +of eight large canoes go by, all containing warriors, armed heavily and in +full war paint.</p> + +<p>"Hurons," whispered Tayoga. "They go south for a great taking of scalps, +doubtless to join Montcalm, who is surely meditating another sudden and +terrible blow."</p> + +<p>"And he will strike at our forts by Andiatarocte," rejoined Robert. "I hope +we can find Willet and Rogers soon and take the news. All the woods must be +full of warriors going south to Montcalm."</p> + +<p>"They have French guns, and good ones too, and they are wrapped in French +blankets. Onontio does not forget the power of the warriors and draws them +to him."</p> + +<p>The silent file of war canoes passed on and out of sight, and, for a space, +Robert's heart was heavy within him. He felt the call of battle, he ought +to be in the south, giving what he could to the defense against the might +of Montcalm, but to go now would be merely a dash in the dark. They must +continue to seek Willet and Rogers.</p> + +<p>When the last Indian canoe was far beyond hearing they relaunched their own +and paddled until nearly daybreak, coming to a place where bushes and tall +grass grew thick in the shallow water at the edge of the river.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Tayoga, "we will leave the canoe. A good hiding place offers +itself, and with the dawn it will be time for us to take to the woods."</p> + +<p>They concealed with great art the little boat that had served them so well, +sinking it in the heart of the densest growth and then drawing back the +bushes and weeds so skillfully that the keenest Indian eye would not have +noticed that anyone had ever been there.</p> + +<p>"I hope," said Robert sincerely, "that we'll have the chance to return +here some time or other and use it again."</p> + +<p>"That rests in the keeping of Manitou," said the Onondaga, "and now we will +take up our packs and go eastward toward Oneadatote."</p> + +<p>"But we won't go fast, because my pack, with all this venison in it, is by +no means light."</p> + +<p>"It is no heavier than mine, Dagaeoga, but, as you say, we will not hasten, +lest we pass the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf in the forest and not +know it. But I think we are safe in going toward Oneadatote, as Rogers and +his rangers usually operate in the region of George and Champlain."</p> + +<p>They traveled two days and two nights and came once more among the high +ridges and peaks. They saw many Indian trails and always they watched for +another. On the third day Tayoga discovered traces in moss and he said with +great satisfaction to his comrade:</p> + +<p>"Lo, Dagaeoga, we, too, be wise in our time. The print here speaks to me +like the print on the page of a book. It says that the Great Bear has +passed this way."</p> + +<p>"I can tell that the traces were made by the feet of a white man," said +Robert, "but how do you know they are Dave's?"</p> + +<p>"I have noticed that the Great Bear's feet are more slender than the +average. Also he bears less upon the heel. He poises himself more upon the +toe, like the great swordsman we saw him to be that time in Quebec."</p> + +<p>"The distinctions are too fine for me, Tayoga, but I don't question your +own powers of observation. I accept your statement with gratitude and joy, +too, because now we know that Dave is alive, and somewhere in the great +northern forest of the Province of New York. I knew he could not be dead, +but it's a relief anyhow to have the proof. But as I see no other traces, +how is it, do you think, that he happens to be alone?"</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear may have been making a little scout by himself. I still +think that he is with Rogers and the rangers, and when we follow his trail +we are likely to find soon that he has rejoined them."</p> + +<p>The traces led north and east until they came to rocky ground, where they +were lost, and Tayoga assumed from the fact that they were several days +old, otherwise he could have made them out even in the more difficult +region. But when the path, despite all his searching, vanished in the air, +he began to look higher than the earth. Soon he smiled and said:</p> + +<p>"Ah, the Great Bear is as wise as the fox and the serpent combined. He +knows that a little chance may lead to great results, and so he neglects +none of the little chances."</p> + +<p>"I don't understand you," said Robert, puzzled.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga bent over a bush and showed where a twig had been cut off.</p> + +<p>"See the wound made by his knife," he said, "and look! here is another on a +bush farther on. Both wounds are partly healed, showing that the cut of the +knife was made several days ago. It occurred to the Great Bear that we +might strike his trail some time or other, and when he came to the stony +uplift upon which his moccasins would leave no sign, he made traces +elsewhere. He knew the chance of our ever seeing them was slight, and he +may have made thousands of other traces that we never will see, but the +possibility that we would see some one of the many became a probability."</p> + +<p>"As you present it, it seems simple, Tayoga, but what an infinity of pains +he must have taken!"</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is that kind of a man."</p> + +<p>The hard, rocky ground extended several miles and their progress over it +was, of necessity, very slow, as Tayoga was compelled to look with extreme +care for the signs the hunter might have left. He found the cut twigs five +times and twice footprints where softer soil existed between the rocks, +making the proofs conclusive to both, and when they emerged into a normal +region beyond they picked up his defined and clear trail once more.</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad to see the Great Bear," said the Onondaga, "and I think he +will be as pleased to know certainly that we are alive as we are to be +assured that he is."</p> + +<p>"He'd never desert us, and if you hadn't come to the Indian village I think +he'd have done so later on."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a man such as few men are. Now, his trail leads on, +straight and bold. He took no trouble to hide it, which proves that he had +friends in this region, and was not afraid to be followed. Here he sat on a +fallen log and rested a while."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"See the prints in front of the log. They were made by the heels of his +moccasins only. He tilted his feet up until they rested merely on the +heels. The Great Bear could not have been in that attitude while standing. +Nay, there is more. The Great Bear sat down here not to rest but to think."</p> + +<p>"It's just supposition with you, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"It is not supposition at all, Dagaeoga, it is certainty. Look, several +little pieces of the bark on the dead log where the Great Bear sat, are +picked off. Here are the places from which they were taken, and here are +the fragments themselves lying on the ground. The Great Bear must have been +thinking very hard and he must have been in great doubt to have had uneasy +hands, because, as you and I know, Dagaeoga, his mind and nerves are of the +calmest."</p> + +<p>"What, then, do you think was on his mind?"</p> + +<p>"He was undecided whether to go on towards Oneadatote or to turn back and +seek us anew. Here are three or four traces, a short and detached trail +leading in the direction from which we have come. Then the traces suddenly +turn. He sat down again and thought it over a second time."</p> + +<p>"You can't possibly know that he resumed his seat on the log!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I can, Dagaeoga. I wish all that we had to see was as easy, +because here is the second place on the log where he picked at the bark. +Mighty as the Great Bear is he cannot sit in two places at once. Not +Tododaho himself could do that."</p> + +<p>"It's conclusive, and I find here at the end of the log his trail, leading +on toward the east."</p> + +<p>"And he went fast, because the distance between his footprints lengthens. +But he did not do so long. He became very slow suddenly. The space between +the footprints shortens all at once. He turned aside, too, from his course, +and crept through the bushes toward the south."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that he crept?"</p> + +<p>"Because for many steps he rested his weight wholly on his toes. The traces +show it very clearly. The Great Bear was stalking something, and it was not +a foe."</p> + +<p>"That, at least, is supposition, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Not supposition, Dagaeoga, and while not absolute certainty it is a great +probability. The toeprints lead straight toward the tiny little lake that +you see shining through the foliage. It was game and not a foe that the +Great Bear was seeking. He wished to shoot a wild fowl. Look, the edge of +the lake here is low, and the tender water grasses grow to a distance of +several yards from the shore. It is just the place where wild ducks or wild +geese would be found, and the Great Bear secured the one he wanted. If you +will look closely, Dagaeoga, you will see the faint trace of blood on the +grass. Blood lasts a long time. Manitou has willed that it should be so, +because it is the life fluid of his creatures. It was a wild goose that the +Great Bear shot."</p> + +<p>"And why not a wild duck?"</p> + +<p>"Because here are two of the feathers, and even Dagaeoga knows they are +the feathers of a goose and not of a duck. It was, too, the fattest goose +in the flock."</p> + +<p>"Which you have no possible way of knowing, Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"But I do, Dagaeoga. It was the fattest goose of the flock, because the +fattest goose of the flock was the one that so wise and skillful a hunter +as the Great Bear would, as a matter of course, select and kill. Learn, O, +Dagaeoga, to trail with your mind as well as with your eye, and ear. The +day may come when the white man will equal the red man in intellect, but it +is yet far off. The Great Bear was very, very hungry, and we shall soon +reach the place where he cleaned and cooked his goose."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Tayoga! You may draw good conclusions from what you see, but +there are no prophets nowadays. You don't know anything about the state of +Dave's appetite, when he shot that goose, and you can't predict with +certainty that we'll soon come to the place where he made it ready for the +eating."</p> + +<p>"I cannot, Dagaeoga! Why, I am doing it this very instant. Mind! Mind! Did +I not tell you to use your mind? O, Dagaeoga, when will you learn the +simpler things of life? The Great Bear would not have risked a shot at a +wild goose in enemy country, if he had not been very hungry. Otherwise he +would have waited until he rejoined the rangers to obtain food. And, having +risked his shot, and having obtained his goose, which was the fattest in +the flock, he became hungrier than ever. And having risked so much he was +willing to risk more in order to complete the task he had undertaken, +without which the other risks that he had run would have been all in vain."</p> + +<p>"Tayoga, I can almost believe that you have your dictionary with you in +your knapsack."</p> + +<p>"Not in my knapsack, Dagaeoga, but in my head, where yours also ought to +be. Ah, here is where the Great Bear began to make preparations to cook his +goose! His trail wanders back and forth. He was looking for fallen wood to +build the fire. And there, in the little sink between the hills, was where +he built it. Even you, Dagaeoga, can see the ashes and burnt ends of +sticks. The Great Bear must have been as hungry as a wolf to have eaten a +whole goose, and the fattest goose of the flock, too. How do I know he ate +it all? Look in the grass and leaves and you will find enough bones to make +the complete frame of a goose, and every bone is picked clean. Wild animals +might have gleaned on them, you say? No. Here is the trail of a wolf that +came to the dip after the Great Bear had gone, drawn by the savory odors, +but he turned back. He never really entered the dip. Why? When he stood at +the edge his acute and delicate senses told him no meat was left on the +bones, and a wolf neither makes idle exertion, nor takes foolish risk. He +went back at once. And if the wolf had not come, there is another reason +why I knew the Great Bear ate all the goose. He would not have thrown away +any of the bones with flesh still on them. He is too wise a man to waste. +He would have taken with him what was left of the goose. Having finished +his most excellent dinner, the Great Bear looked for a brook."</p> + +<p>"Why a brook?"</p> + +<p>"Because he was thirsty. Everyone is thirsty after a heavy meal. He turned +to the right, as the ground slopes down in that direction. Even you, +Dagaeoga, know that one is more likely to find a brook in a valley than on +a hilltop. Here is the brook, a fine, clear little stream with a sandy +bottom, and here is where the Great Bear knelt and drank of the cool water. +The prints of his strong knees show like carving on a wall. Finding that he +was still thirsty he came back for another drink, because the second prints +are a little distance from the first.</p> + +<p>"Then, after rejoicing over the tender goose and his renewed strength, he +suddenly became very cautious. The danger from the warriors, which he had +forgotten or overlooked in his hunger, returned in acute form to his mind. +He came to the brook a third time, but not to drink. He intended to wade in +the stream that he might hide his trail, which, as you well know, Dagaeoga, +is the oldest and best of all forest devices for such purposes. How many +millions of times must the people of the wilderness have used it!</p> + +<p>"Now the Great Bear had two ways to go in the water, up the stream or down +the stream, and you and I, Dagaeoga, think he went down the stream, because +the current leads on the whole eastward, which was the way in which he +wished to go. At least, we will choose that direction and I will take one +side of the bank and you the other."</p> + +<p>They followed the brook more than a mile with questing eyes, and Tayoga +detected the point at which Willet had emerged, plunging anew into the +forest.</p> + +<p>"Warriors, if they had picked up his trail, could have followed the brook +as we did," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Of course," said Tayoga, "but the object of the Great Bear was not so much +to hide his flight as to gain time. While we went slowly, looking for the +emergence of his trail, he went fast. Now I think he meant to spend the +night in the woods alone. The rangers must still have been far away. If +they had been near he would not have felt the need of throwing off possible +pursuit."</p> + +<p>They followed the dim traces several hours, and then Tayoga announced with +certainty that the hunter had slept alone in the forest, wrapped in his +blanket.</p> + +<p>"He crept into this dense clump of bushes," he said, "and lay within their +heart, sheltered and hidden by them. You, Dagaeoga, can see where his +weight has pressed them down. Why, here is the outline of a human body +almost as clear and distinct as if it were drawn with black ink upon white +paper! And the Great Bear slept well, too. The bushes are not broken or +shoved aside except in the space merely wide enough to contain his frame. +Perhaps the goose was so very tender and his nerves and tissues had craved +it so much that they were supremely happy when he gave it to them. That is +why they rested so well.</p> + +<p>"In the morning the Great Bear resumed his journey toward the east. He had +no breakfast and doubtless he wished for another goose, but he was +refreshed and he was very strong. The traces are fainter than they were, +because the Great Bear was so vigorous that his feet almost spurned the +earth."</p> + +<p>"Don't you think, Tayoga, that he'll soon turn aside again to hunt? So +strong a man as Dave won't go long without food, especially when the forest +is full of it. We've noticed everywhere that the war has caused the game to +increase greatly in numbers."</p> + +<p>"It will depend upon the position of the force to which the Great Bear +belongs. If it is near he will not seek game, waiting for food until he +rejoins the rangers, but if they are distant he will look for a deer or +another goose, or maybe a duck. But by following we will see what he did. +It cannot be hidden from us. The forest has few secrets from those who are +born in it. Ah, what is this? The Great Bear hid in a bush, and he leaped +suddenly! Behold the distance between the footprints! He saw something that +alarmed him. It may have been a war party passing, and of which he suddenly +caught sight. If so we can soon tell."</p> + +<p>A hundred yards beyond the clump of bushes they found a broad trail, +indicating that at least twenty warriors had gone by, their line of march +leading toward the southeast.</p> + +<p>"They were in no hurry," said the Onondaga, "as they had no fear of +enemies. Their steps are irregular, showing that sometimes they stopped and +talked. Doubtless they meant to join Montcalm, but as they can travel much +faster than an army they were taking their time about it. We will now +return to the bushes in which the Great Bear lay hidden while he watched. +The traces of his footsteps in the heart of the clump are much deeper than +usual, which proves that he stood there quite a while. It is also another +proof that the warriors stopped and talked when they were near him, else he +would not have remained in the clump so long. It is likely, too, that the +Great Bear followed them when they resumed their journey. Yes, here is his +trail leading from the bushes. But it is faint, the Great Bear was stepping +lightly and here is where it merges with the trail of the warriors. He +could not have been more than three or four hundred yards behind them. The +Great Bear was very bold, or else they were very careless. He will not +follow them long, as he merely wishes to get a general idea of their +course, it being his main object to rejoin the rangers."</p> + +<p>"And at this point he turned away from their trail," said Robert, after +they had followed it about a mile. "He is now going due east, and his +traces lead on so straight that he must have known exactly where he +intended to go."</p> + +<p>"Stated with much correctness," said Tayoga in his precise school English. +"Dagaeoga is taking to heart my assertion that the mind is intended for +human use, and he is beginning to think a little. But we shall have to stop +soon for a while, because the night comes. We, too, will sleep in the heart +of the bushes as the Great Bear did."</p> + +<p>"And glad am I to stop," said Robert. "My burden of buffalo robe and deer +and arms and ammunition is beginning to weigh on me. A buffalo robe doesn't +seem of much use on a warm, summer day, but it is such a fine one and you +took so much trouble to get it for me, Tayoga, that I haven't had the heart +to abandon it."</p> + +<p>"It is well that you have brought it, in spite of its weight," said the +Onondaga, "as the night, at this height, is sure to be cold, and the robe +will envelop you in its warmth. See, the dark comes fast."</p> + +<p>The sun sank behind the forest, and the twilight advanced, the deeper dusk +following in its trail, a cold wind began to blow out of the north, and +Robert, as Tayoga had predicted, was thankful now that he had retained the +buffalo robe, despite its weight. He wrapped it around his body and sat on +a blanket in a thicket. Tayoga, by his side, used his two blankets in a +similar manner, and they ate of the deer which they had had the forethought +to cook, and make ready for all times.</p> + +<p>The dusk deepened into the thick dark, and the night grew colder, but they +were warm and at ease. Robert was full of courage and hope. The elements +and all things had served them so much that he was quite sure they would +succeed in everything they undertook. By and by, he stretched himself on +the blanket, and clothed from head to foot in the great robe he slept the +deep sleep of one who had toiled hard and well. An hour later Tayoga also +slept, but in another hour he awoke and sat up, listening with all the +marvelous powers of hearing that nature and cultivation had given him.</p> + +<p>Something was stirring in the thicket, not any of the wild animals, big or +little, but a human being, and Tayoga knew the chances were a hundred to +one that it was a hostile human being. He put his ear to the earth and the +sound came more clearly. Now his wonderful gifts of intuition and forest +reasoning told him what it was. Slowly he rose again, cleared himself of +the blankets, and put his rifle upon them. Then, loosening the pistol in +his belt, but drawing his long hunting knife, he crept from the thicket.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, despite his thorough white education and his constant association +with white comrades, was always an Indian first. Now, as he stole from the +thicket in the dark, knife in hand, he was the very quintessence of a great +warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great +League of the Hodenosaunee. He was what his ancestors had been for +unnumbered generations, a primeval son of the wilderness, seeking the life +of the enemy who came seeking his.</p> + +<p>He kept to his hands and knees, and made no sound as he advanced, but at +intervals he dropped his ear to the ground, and heard the faint rustling +that was drawing nearer. He decided that it was a single warrior who by +some chance had struck their trail in the dusk, and who, with minute pains +and with slowness but certainty, was following it.</p> + +<p>His course took him about thirty yards among the bushes and then through +high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also +helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving +slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth +and went on, sure that bold means would be best.</p> + +<p>The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he +was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga +snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a +Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an +enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so +close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside, +and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a +sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors +swelling in fierce triumph.</p> + +<p>But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which +was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry +that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much +farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the +forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly +back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a +curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened.</p> + +<p>Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not +stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any +sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was +none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and +clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the +bushes.</p> + +<p>"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said.</p> + +<p>"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night."</p> + +<p>"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more."</p> + +<p>"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a +brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without +it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't +wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or +duck this morning."</p> + +<p>"But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the +goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk."</p> + +<p>"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be +accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll +keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads +of whom they will not pass."</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning."</p> + +<p>"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of +the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low +ground over there."</p> + +<p>He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to +the left—the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the +right—and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he +found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they +left the lair in the bushes.</p> + +<p>"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a +floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the +night."</p> + +<p>"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another +night comes you will need it as before."</p> + +<p>They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, +expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course.</p> + +<p>"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and +the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not +last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the +little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region."</p> + +<p>In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a +duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, +and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there +some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that +they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping +that they would soon overtake him.</p> + +<p>But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night +spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far +ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they +approached the shores of Champlain.</p> + +<p>"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert.</p> + +<p>"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIII"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<br> + +<h3>READING THE SIGNS</h3> + +<p>On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and +Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the +evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake +Champlain.</p> + +<p>"It seems likely to me," said the Onondaga, "that he left the rangers to +seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward. Having learned in +some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers +wherever they may go."</p> + +<p>"And we will follow him wherever he goes," said Robert.</p> + +<p>An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the +trail. Another man coming from the south had joined Willet. The traces were +quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of +the footsteps that the stranger was white.</p> + +<p>"A wandering hunter or trapper? A chance meeting?" said Robert.</p> + +<p>Tayoga shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to +join Rogers?"</p> + +<p>"Wrong in both cases," he said. "I know who joined the Great Bear, as well +as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made. It was not a +wandering hunter and it was not a ranger. You will notice, Dagaeoga, that +these traces are uncommonly large. They are not slender like the footprints +of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long. Why, I should know anywhere +in the world what feet made them. Think, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>"I don't seem to recall."</p> + +<p>"Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on +the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all +these also. A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer +them. You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both +in battle. Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!"</p> + +<p>"Black Rifle!"</p> + +<p>"None other. It is far north for him, but he has come, and he and the Great +Bear were glad to see each other. Here they stood and shook hands."</p> + +<p>"There is not a possible sign to indicate such a thing."</p> + +<p>"Only the certain rules of logic. Once again I bid you use your mind. We +see with it oftener than with the eye. White men, when they are good +friends and meet after a long absence, always shake hands. So my mind tells +me with absolute certainty that the Great Bear and Black Rifle did so. Then +they talked together a while. Now the eye tells me, because here are +footsteps in a little group that says so, and then they walked on, +fearless of attack. It is an easy trail to follow."</p> + +<p>He announced in a half hour that they were about to enter an old camp of +the two men.</p> + +<p>"Any child of the Hodenosaunee could tell that it is so," he said, "because +their trails now separate. Black Rifle turns off to the right, and the +Great Bear goes to the left. We will follow Black Rifle first. He wandered +about apparently in aimless fashion, but he had a purpose nevertheless. He +was looking for firewood. We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, +because his object was surely the same. They were so confident of their +united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the +coldness of the night. Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary +for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both. The fact that the +Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it.</p> + +<p>"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on +the crest of which the bushes grow so thick. Once more it is mind and not +eye that tells me so, Dagaeoga. They would build a fire near because they +had begun to look for firewood, which is always plentiful in the forest, +and they would surely choose the dip which lies beyond the hill, because +the circling ridge with its frieze of bushes would hide the flames. +Although sure of their strength they did not neglect caution."</p> + +<p>They passed over the hill, and found the dead embers of the fire.</p> + +<p>"After they had built it Black Rifle sat on that side and the Great Bear +on this," said Tayoga, "and while they were getting it ready the Great Bear +concluded to add something on his own account to the supper."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, Tayoga? Is this mind or eye?"</p> + +<p>"A combination of the two. The Great Bear is a wonderful marksman, as we +know, and while sitting on the log that he had drawn up before the fire, he +shot his game out of the tall oak on our right."</p> + +<p>"This is neither eye nor mind, Tayoga, it is just fancy."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, it is mostly eye, though helped by mind. My conclusion that +he was sitting, when he pulled the trigger is mind chiefly. He would not +have drawn up the log unless he had been ready to sit down, and everything +was complete for the supper. The Great Bear never rests until his work is +done, and he is so marvelous with the rifle that it was not necessary for +him to rise when he fired. Wilderness life demands so much of the body that +the Great Bear never makes needless exertion. There mind works, Dagaeoga, +but the rest is all eye. The squirrel was on the curved bough of the oak, +the one that projects toward the north."</p> + +<p>"You assume a good deal to say that it was a squirrel and surely mind not +eye would select the particular bough on which he sat."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, eye served the whole purpose. All the other branches are +almost smothered in leaves, but the curved one is nearly bare. It is only +there that the casual glance of the Great Bear, who was not at that time +seeking game, would have caught sight of the squirrel. Also, he must have +been there, otherwise his body could not have fallen directly beneath it, +when the bullet went through his head."</p> + +<p>"Now tell me how your eye knows his body fell from the bough."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Dagaeoga! Your eye was given to you for use as mine was given to me, +then you should use it; in the forest you are lost unless you do. It was my +eye that saw the unmistakable sign, the sign from which all the rest +followed. Look closely and you will detect a little spot of red on the +grass just beneath the bare bough. It was blood from the squirrel."</p> + +<p>"You cannot be sure that it was a squirrel. It might have been a pigeon or +some other bird."</p> + +<p>"That, O, Dagaeoga, would be the easiest of all, even for you, if you could +only use your eyes, as I bid you. Almost at your feet lies a slender bone +that cannot be anything but the backbone of a squirrel. Beyond it are two +other bones, which came from the same body. We know as certainly that it +was a squirrel as we know that the Great Bear ate first a wild goose, and +then a wild duck. But it is a good camp that those two great men made, and, +as the night is coming, we will occupy it."</p> + +<p>They relighted the abandoned fire, warmed their food and ate, and Robert +was once more devoutly glad that he had kept the heavy buffalo robe. Deep +fog came over the mountain soon after dark, and, after a while, a fine +cold, and penetrating rain was shed from the heart of it. They kept the +fire burning and wrapped, Tayoga in his blankets, and, Robert in the robe, +crouched before it. Then they drew the logs that the Great Bear and Black +Rifle had left, in such position that they could lean their backs against +them, and slept, though not the two at the same time. They agreed that it +was wise to keep watch and Robert was sentinel first.</p> + +<p>Tayoga, supported by the log, slept soundly, the flames illuminating his +bronze face and showing the very highest type of the Indian. Robert sat +opposite, his rifle across his knees, but covered by his blanket to protect +it from the fine rain, which was not only cold but insidious, trying to +insert itself beneath his clothing and chill his body. But he kept himself +covered so well that none reached him, and the very wildness of his +surroundings increased his sense of intense physical comfort.</p> + +<p>He did not stir, except now and then to put a fresh chunk of wood on the +fire, and the red blaze between Tayoga and himself was for a time the +center of the world. The cold, white fog was rolling up everywhere thick +and impenetrable, and the fine rain, like a heavy dew that was distilled +from it, fell incessantly. Robert knew that it was moving up the valleys +and clothing all the peaks and ridges. He knew, too, that it would hide +them from their enemies and his sense of comfort grew with the knowledge. +But his conviction that they were safe did not make him relax caution, and, +since eye was useless in the fog, he made extreme call upon ear.</p> + +<p>It seemed to him that the fog was a splendid conductor of sound. It brought +him the rustling of the foliage, the moaning of the light wind through the +ravines, and, at last, another sound, sharp, distinct, a discordant note in +the natural noises of the wilderness, which were always uniform and +harmonious. He heard it a second time, to his right, down the hill, and he +was quite sure that it indicated the presence of man, man who in reality +was near, but whom the fog took far away. The vapors, however, would lift, +then man might come close, and he felt that it was his part to discover who +and what he was.</p> + +<p>Still wrapped in the buffalo robe, he rose and took a few steps from the +fire. Tayoga did not stir, and he was proud that his tread had been without +noise. Beyond the rim of firelight, he paused and listening again heard the +clank twice, not very loud but coming sharp and definite as before through +the vapory air. He parted the bushes very carefully and went down the side +of a ravine, the wet boughs and twigs making no noise as they closed up +after his passage.</p> + +<p>But his progress was very slow, purposely so, as he knew that any mistake +or accident might be fatal, and he intended that no fault of his should +precipitate such a crisis. Once or twice he thought of going back, deeming +his a foolish quest, lost in a wilderness of bushes and blinding fog, but +the sharp, clear clank stirred his purpose anew, and he went on down the +slope, until he saw a red glow in the heart of the fog. Then he sank down +among the bushes and listened with intentness. Presently the faint hum of +voices came to his ear, and he was quite sure that many men were not far +away.</p> + +<p>He resumed his slow advance, but now he was glad the bushes were soaked +with water, as they did not crackle or snap with the passage of his body, +and the luminous glow in front of him broadened and deepened steadily. Near +the bottom of a deep valley he stopped and from his covert saw where great +fires had driven the fog away. Around the fires were many warriors, some of +them sleeping in their blankets, while others were eating prodigiously, +after their manner. Rifles and muskets were stacked in French fashion and +the clank, clank that Robert had heard had been made by the warriors as +they put up their weapons.</p> + +<p>Many were talking freely and seemed to rejoice in the food and fires. It +was Robert's surmise that they had arrived but recently and were weary. +Their numbers were large, they certainly could not be less than four or +five hundred, and his experience was great enough now to tell him that half +of them, at least, were Canadian Indians. All were in war paint, and they +had an abundance of arms.</p> + +<p>Robert's eager eye sought Tandakora, but did not find him. He had no doubt, +however, that this great body of warriors was moving against Rogers and his +rangers, and that it would soon be joined by the Ojibway chief. Tandakora, +anxious for revenge upon the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf, would be +willing to leave Montcalm for a while if he thought that by doing so he +could achieve his purpose. His gaze wandered from the warriors to the +stacked rifles and muskets, and he saw that many of them were of English +or American make, undoubtedly spoil taken at the capture of Oswego. His +heart swelled with anger that the border should have its own weapons turned +against it by the foe.</p> + +<p>It did not take him long to see enough. It was a powerful force, equipped +to strike, and now he was more anxious than ever to overtake Willet. The +fog was still thick and wet, distilling the fine rain, but he had forgotten +discomfort, and, turning back on his path, he sought the dip in which he +had left Tayoga sleeping. He felt a certain pride that it had been his +fortune to discover the band, and, as he had marked carefully the way by +which he had come, it was not a difficult task to retrace his steps.</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was still sleeping, his back against the log, but he awoke +instantly when Robert touched him gently on the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he whispered. "You have seen something! Your face +tells me so!"</p> + +<p>"My face tells you the truth," replied Robert. "There is a valley only a +few hundred yards from us, and, in it, are about four hundred warriors, +armed for battle. All the signs indicate that they are going eastward in +search of our friends."</p> + +<p>"You have done well, Dagaeoga. You have used both eye and mind. Was +Tandakora there?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I'm convinced he soon will be."</p> + +<p>"It appears likely. They think, perhaps, they are strong enough to +annihilate the rangers."</p> + +<p>"Maybe they are, unless the rangers are warned. We ought to move at once."</p> + +<p>"But the fog is too thick. We could not tell which way we were going. We +must not lose the trail of the Great Bear and Black Rifle, and, if the fog +lifts, we can regain it in the morning, going ahead of the war band."</p> + +<p>"And then the warriors may pursue us."</p> + +<p>"What does it matter, if we keep well ahead of them and overtake the Great +Bear and Black Rifle, who are surely going toward the rangers? We will put +out the fire, Dagaeoga, and stay here. The fog protects us. Now, you sleep +and I will watch."</p> + +<p>His calmness was reassuring, and it was true that the fog was an almost +certain protection, while it lasted. They smothered the fire carefully, and +then, Robert was sufficient master of his nerves, to go to sleep, wrapped +in the invaluable buffalo robe. The Onondaga kept vigilant watch. His own +ear, too, heard the occasional sound made by human beings in the valley +below, but he did not stir from his place. He had absolute confidence in +Robert's report, and he would not take any unnecessary risk.</p> + +<p>An hour or two before dawn a wind began to rise, and Tayoga knew by feeling +rather than sight that the fog was beginning to thin. If the wind held, it +would all blow away by sunrise, and the rain with it. He awakened Robert at +once.</p> + +<p>"I think we would better move now," he said. "We shall soon be able to see +our way, and a good start ahead of the war band is important."</p> + +<p>They made a northward curve, passing around the valley, in which the camp +of the warriors lay, and, when the sun showed its first luminous edge over +the horizon, they were several miles ahead. The steady wind had carried all +the fog and rain to the southward, but the forest was still wet and +dripping.</p> + +<p>"And now," said Tayoga, "we must pick up anew the trail of the Great Bear +and Black Rifle. We are sure they were continuing east, and by ranging back +and forth from north to south and from south to north we can find it."</p> + +<p>It was a full two hours before they discovered it, leading up a narrow +gorge, and Robert grew anxious lest the war band was already on their own +traces, which the warriors were sure to see in time. So they hastened their +own pursuit and very soon came to a thicket in which the two redoubtable +scouts had passed the night. The trail leading from it was comparatively +fresh and Tayoga was hopeful that they might overtake them before the next +sunset.</p> + +<p>"They do not hurry," he said. "The Great Bear has been telling Black Rifle +of us, and now and then it was their thought to go back into the west to +make another hunt for us. My certainty about it is based on nothing in the +trail. It is just mind once more. It is exactly the idea that a valiant and +patient man like the Great Bear would have, and it would appeal too, to the +soul of such a great warrior as Black Rifle. But after thinking well upon +it, they have decided that the search would be vain for the present, and +once more they go on, though the wish to find us puts weights on their +feet."</p> + +<p>Before noon they came to a place where Black Rifle shot a deer. The +useless portions of the body that the two had left behind spoke a language +none could fail to understand, and they were sure it was Black Rifle who +had fired the shot, because his broader footprints led to the place where +the body had fallen.</p> + +<p>"It proves," said Tayoga, "that the rangers are still well ahead, else two +such wise men as the Great Bear and Black Rifle would not take the trouble +to kill a deer here and carry so much weight with them. It is likely that +the Mountain Wolf and his men are on the shores of Oneadatote itself."</p> + +<p>All that afternoon the trail went upward higher and higher among the ranges +and peaks, but the infallible eye of Tayoga never lost it for a moment.</p> + +<p>"We will not overtake them today, as I had hoped," he said, "but we shall +certainly do so tomorrow before noon."</p> + +<p>"And the coming night is going to offer a striking contrast to the one just +passed," said Robert. "It will be crystal clear."</p> + +<p>"So it will, Dagaeoga, and we will seek a camp among the rocks. It is best +to leave no traces for the warriors."</p> + +<p>They traveled a long distance on the stony uplift before they stopped for +the night, and they did not build any fire, dividing the time into two +watches, each kept with great vigilance. But the pursuit which they were so +sure was now on did not overtake them, and early in the morning they were +once more on the traces of the two hunters.</p> + +<p>"It is now sure we shall reach them before noon," said Tayoga, "but in +what manner we shall first see them I do not know. The trail has become +wonderfully fresh. Ah, they turned suddenly from their course here, and +soon they came back to it, at a point not more than ten feet away. We need +not follow them on their loop to see where they went. We know without +going. They climbed the steep little peak we see on the right, from the +crest of which they had a splendid view over an immense stretch of country +behind us. They looked in that direction because that was the point from +which pursuit or danger would come. The band behind us built a fire, and +the Great Bear and Black Rifle saw its smoke. They saw the smoke because +they could see nothing else so far behind them. After a good look, they +went on at their leisure. They had no fear. It was easy for such as they to +leave the band well in the rear, if they wished."</p> + +<p>"If they haven't changed greatly since we last saw 'em," said Robert, +"they'll go all the more slowly because of the pursuit, and we may catch +'em in a couple of hours. Won't Dave be surprised when he sees us?"</p> + +<p>"It will be a pleasant surprise for him. Here, they have stopped again, and +one of them climbed the tall elm for another view, while the other stood +guard by the trunk. I think, Dagaeoga, that the Great Bear and Black Rifle +were beginning to think less of flight than of battle."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean that knowing the presence of the band behind us they +intended to meet it?"</p> + +<p>"Not to stop it, of course, but spirits such as theirs might have a desire +to harm it a little, and impede its advance. In any event, Dagaeoga, we +shall soon see. Here is where the climber came down, and then the two went +on, walking slowly. They walked slowly, because the traces indicate that +they turned back often, and looked toward the point at which they had seen +the smoke rising. My mind tells me that the Great Bear thought it better to +continue straight ahead, but that Black Rifle was anxious to linger, and +get a few shots at the enemy. It is so, because the Great Bear, as we know, +is naturally cautious and would wish to do what is of the most service in +the campaign, while it is always the desire of Black Rifle to injure the +enemy as much as he can."</p> + +<p>"Your reasoning seems conclusive to me."</p> + +<p>"Did I not tell you, Dagaeoga, that you had the beginnings of a mind? Use +it sedulously, and it will grow yet more."</p> + +<p>"And the time may come when I can talk out of a dictionary as you do, +Tayoga."</p> + +<p>"Which merely proves, Dagaeoga, that those who learn a language always talk +it better than those who are born to it. Ah, they have turned once more, +and the trail leads again to the crest of a hill, where they will take +another long look backward. It seems that the wishes of Black Rifle are +about to prevail. Now we are at the top of the hill, and they stood here +several minutes talking and moving about, as the traces show very clearly. +But look, Dagaeoga, they saw something very much closer at hand than smoke. +Their talk was interrupted with great suddenness, and they took to ambush. +They crouched among these bushes, and you and I know they were a very +dangerous pair with their rifles ready. Still, Dagaeoga, instead of their +taking the battle to the warriors the battle was brought to them."</p> + +<p>"You think, then, an encounter occurred?"</p> + +<p>"I know it. They did not stay crouched here until the enemy went away, but +moved off down the hill, their course on the whole leading away from the +lake. The enemy was before them, because they kept among the bushes, always +in the densest part of them. Here they knelt. The bent grass stems indicate +the pressure of knees. The warriors must have been very close.</p> + +<p>"Now the trail divides. Look, Dagaeoga! Black Rifle went to the right and +the Great Bear to the left. They formed a plan to flank the enemy and to +assail him from two sides. I should judge then that the warriors did not +number more than five or six. We will follow the Great Bear, who made the +slender traces, and if necessary we will come back and follow also those of +Black Rifle. But I think we can read the full account of the contest which +most certainly occurred from the evidence that the Great Bear left."</p> + +<p>"You feel quite sure then that there was fighting?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. It is not an opinion formed from the signs yet seen, but it is drawn +from the characters of the Great Bear and Black Rifle. They would not have +taken so much care unless there was the certainty of conflict. Here the +Great Bear knelt again, and took a long look at his enemy or at least at +the place where his enemy was lying. They were coming to close quarters or +he would not have knelt and waited. Perhaps he held his fire because Black +Rifle was making the wider circuit, and they meant to use their rifles at +the same time."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga was on his own knees now, examining the faint trail intently, +his eyes alight with interest.</p> + +<p>"The event will not be delayed long," he said, "because the Great Bear +stopped continually, seeking an opportunity for a shot. Here he pulled the +trigger."</p> + +<p>He picked up a minute piece of the burned wadding of the muzzle-loading +rifle.</p> + +<p>"The warrior at whom he fired was bound to have been in the thicket beyond +the open space," he said, "and it was there that he fell. He fell because +at such a critical time the Great Bear would not have fired unless he was +sure of his aim. We will look into the thicket"</p> + +<p>They found several spots of blood among the bushes and at another point +about twenty feet away they saw more.</p> + +<p>"Here is where the warrior fell before Black Rifle's bullet," said Tayoga. +"He and the Great Bear must have fired almost at the same time. Undoubtedly +the warriors retreated at once, carrying their dead with them. Let us see +if they did not unite, and leave the thicket at the farthest point from our +two friends."</p> + +<p>The trail was very clear at the place the Onondaga had indicated, and also +many more red spots were there leading away toward the east.</p> + +<p>"We will not follow them." said Tayoga, "because they do not interest us +any more. They have retreated and they do not longer enter into your +campaign and mine, Dagaeoga. We will go back and see where the left wing of +our army, that was the Great Bear, reunited with the right wing, that was +Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>They found the point of junction not far away, and then the deliberate +trail led once more toward Champlain, the two pursuing it several hours in +silence and both noticing that it was rapidly growing fresher. At length +Tayoga stopped on the crest of a ridge and said:</p> + +<p>"We no longer need to seek their trail, Dagaeoga, because I will now talk +with the Great Bear and Black Rifle."</p> + +<p>"Very good, Tayoga. I am anxious to hear what you will say and how you will +say it."</p> + +<p>A bird sang at Robert's side. It was Tayoga trilling forth a melody, +wonderfully clear and penetrating, a melody that carried far up the still +valley beyond.</p> + +<p>"You will remember, Dagaeoga," he said, "that we have often used this call +with the Great Bear. The reply will soon come."</p> + +<p>The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard. He owed much to Willet. +Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were +about to meet after a long parting. He never doubted for a moment that the +Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black +Rifle in the valley below them.</p> + +<p>Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled +the valley. When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as +before. The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of +the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them. The four did not say much, +but in every case the grasp of the hand was strong and long.</p> + +<p>"I went west in search of you, Robert," said the hunter, "but I was +compelled to come back, because of the great events that are forward here. +I felt, however, that Tayoga was there looking for you and would do all any +number of human beings could do."</p> + +<p>"He found me and rescued me," said Robert, "and what of yourself, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"I'm attached, for the present, to the rangers under Rogers. He's on the +shores of Champlain, and he's trying to hold back a big Indian army that +means to march south and join Montcalm for an attack on Fort William Henry +or Fort Edward."</p> + +<p>"And there's a great Indian war band behind you, too, Dave."</p> + +<p>"We know it. We saw their smoke. We also had an encounter with some +scouting warriors."</p> + +<p>"We know that, too, Dave. You ambushed 'em and divided your force, one of +you going to the right and the other to the left. Two of their warriors +fell before your bullets, and then they fled, carrying their slain with +them."</p> + +<p>"Correct to every detail. I suppose Tayoga read the signs."</p> + +<p>"He did, and he also told me when he rescued me that you had carried the +text of the letter we took from Garay to Colonel Johnson in time, and that +the force of St. Luc was turned back."</p> + +<p>"Yes, the preparations for defense made an attack by him hopeless, and +when his vanguard was defeated in the forest he gave up the plan."</p> + +<p>They did not stop long, as they knew the great war band behind them was +pressing forward, but they felt little fear of it, as they were able to +make high speed of their own, despite the weight of their packs, and for +several days and nights they traveled over peaks and ridges, stopping only +at short intervals for sleep. They had no sign from the band behind them, +but they knew it was always there, and that it would probably unite at the +lake with the force the rangers were facing.</p> + +<p>It was about noon of a gleaming summer day when Robert, from the crest of a +ridge, saw once more the vast sheet of water extending a hundred and +twenty-five miles north and south, that the Indians called Oneadatote and +the white men Champlain, and around which and upon which an adventurous +part of his own life had passed. His heart beat high, he felt now that the +stage was set again for great events, and that his comrades and he would, +as before, have a part in the war that was shaking the Old World as well as +the New.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon they met rangers and before night they were in the camp of +Rogers, which included about three hundred men, and which was pitched in a +strong position at the edge of the lake. The Mountain Wolf greeted them +with great warmth.</p> + +<p>"You're a redoubtable four," he said, "and I could wish that instead of +only four I was receiving four hundred like you."</p> + +<p>He showed intense anxiety, and soon confided his reasons to Willet.</p> + +<p>"You've brought me news," he said, "that a big war band is coming from the +west, and my scouts had told me already that a heavy force is to the +northward, and what is worst of all, the northern force is commanded by St. +Luc. It seems that he did not go south with Montcalm, but drew off an army +of both French and Indians for our destruction. He remembers his naval and +land defeat by us and naturally he wants revenge. He is helped, too, by the +complete command of the lake, that the French now hold. Since we've been +pressed southward we've lost Champlain."</p> + +<p>"And of course St. Luc is eager to strike," said Willet. "He can recover +his lost laurels and serve France at the same time. If we're swept away +here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada +upon the Province of New York."</p> + +<p>Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the +repose that he needed so badly. He had brought with him some remnants of +food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so +much danger from the Indian village. Now he put down the robe, heaved a +mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga:</p> + +<p>"I'm proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I've had enough. I'm +glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake +Champlain."</p> + +<p>"And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe."</p> + +<p>"So it is. I should be the last to deny it, but now that we're with the +rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition. To appreciate +what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them."</p> + +<p>The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the +present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they +commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach. They +rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the +wilderness.</p> + +<p>"It's almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this," said +Robert, swimming with strong strokes.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid," said the Onondaga, "but see that you do +not swim too far. Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio. +We had it, but we have lost it."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll get it back again," said Robert courageously. "Champlain is too +fine a lake to lose forever. Wait until I've had a big sleep. Then my brain +will be clear, and I'll tell how it ought to be done."</p> + +<p>The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> +<a name="CHAPTER_XIV"></a><h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<br> + +<h3>ST. LUC'S REVENGE</h3> + +<p>When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that +the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed. Rogers was in close +conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a +small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or +west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was +expected. Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know +it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, +and now including the western band, was very near. It was the burden of +their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom +one-third were French or Canadians.</p> + +<p>Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and +Robert joined him. The face of the young Onondaga was very grave.</p> + +<p>"You look for an early battle, I suppose," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dagaeoga," replied his comrade, "and it will be fought with the odds +heavily against us. I think the Mountain Wolf should not have awaited Sharp +Sword here, but who am I to give advice to a leader, so able and with so +much experience?"</p> + +<p>"But we beat St. Luc once in a battle by a lake!"</p> + +<p>"Then we had a fleet, and, for the time, at least, we won command of the +lake. Now the enemy is supreme on Oneadatote. If we have any canoes on its +hundred and twenty-five miles of length they are lone and scattered, and +they stay in hiding near its shores."</p> + +<p>"Why are you watching its waters now so intently, Tayoga?"</p> + +<p>"To see the sentinels of the foe, when they come down from the north. Sharp +Sword is too great a general not to use all of his advantages in battle. He +will advance by water as well as by land, but, first he will use his eyes, +before he permits his hand to strike. Do you see anything far up the lake, +Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"Only the sunlight on the waters."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is all. I believed, for a moment or two, that I saw a black dot +there, but it was only my fancy creating what I expected my sight to +behold. Let us look again all around the horizon, where it touches the +water, following it as we would a line. Ah, I think I see a dark speck, +just a black mote at this distance, and I am still unable to separate fancy +from fact, but it may be fact. What do you think, Dagaeoga?"</p> + +<p>"My thought has not taken shape yet, Tayoga, but if 'tis fancy then 'tis +singularly persistent. I see the black mote too, to the left, toward the +western shore of the lake, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagaeoga, that is where it is. If we are both the victims of fancy +then our illusions are wonderfully alike. Think you that we would imagine +exactly the same thing at exactly the same place?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't! And as I live, Tayoga, the mote is growing larger! It takes +on the semblance of reality, and, although very far from us, it's my belief +that it's moving this way!"</p> + +<p>"Again my fancy is the same as yours and it is not possible that they +should continue exactly alike through all changes. That which may have been +fancy in the beginning has most certainly turned into fact, and the black +mote that we see upon the waters is in all probability a hostile canoe +coming to spy upon us."</p> + +<p>They watched the dark dot detach itself from the horizon and grow +continuously until their eyes told them, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that +it was a canoe containing two warriors. It was moving swiftly and presently +Rogers and Willet came to look at it. The two warriors brought their light +craft on steadily, but stopped well out of rifle shot, where they let their +paddles rest and gazed long at the shore.</p> + +<p>"It is like being without a right arm to have no force upon the lake," said +Rogers.</p> + +<p>"It cripples us sorely," said Willet. "Perhaps we'd better swallow our +pride, bitter though the medicine may be, and retreat at speed."</p> + +<p>"I can't do it," said Rogers. "I'm here to hold back St. Luc, if I can, and +moreover, 'tis too late. We'd be surrounded in the forest and probably +annihilated."</p> + +<p>"I suppose you're right. We'll meet him where we stand, and when the +battle is over, whatever may be its fortunes, he'll know that he had a real +fight."</p> + +<p>They walked away from the lake, and began to arrange their forces to the +most advantage, but Robert and Tayoga remained on the cliff. They saw the +canoe go back toward the north, melt into the horizon line, and then +reappear, but with a whole brood of canoes. All of them advanced rapidly, +and they stretched into a line half way across the lake. Many were great +war canoes, containing eight or ten men apiece.</p> + +<p>"Now the attack by land is at hand," said Tayoga. "Sharp Sword is sure to +see that his two forces move forward at the same time. Hark!"</p> + +<p>They heard the report of a rifle shot in the forest, then another and +another. Willet joined them and said it was the wish of Rogers that they +remain where they were, as a small force was needed at that point to +prevent a landing by the Indians. A fire from the lake would undoubtedly be +opened upon their flank, but if the warriors could be kept in their canoes +it could not become very deadly. Black Rifle came also, and he, Willet, +Robert, Tayoga and ten of the rangers lying down behind some trees at the +edge of the cliff, watched the water.</p> + +<p>The Indian fleet hovered a little while out of rifle shot. Meanwhile the +firing in the forest grew. Bullets from both sides pattered on leaves and +bark, and the shouts of besieged and besiegers mingled, but the members of +the force on the cliff kept their eyes resolutely on the water.</p> + +<p>"The canoes are moving again," said Tayoga. "They are coming a little +nearer. I see Frenchmen in some of them and presently they will try to +sweep the bank with their rifles."</p> + +<p>"Our bullets will carry as far as theirs," said the hunter.</p> + +<p>"True, O, Great Bear, and perhaps with surer aim."</p> + +<p>In another moment puffs of white smoke appeared in the fleet, which was +swinging forward in a crescent shape, and Robert heard the whine of lead +over his head. Then Willet pulled the trigger and a warrior fell from his +canoe. Black Rifle's bullet sped as true, and several of the rangers also +found their targets. Yet the fleet pressed the attack. Despite their +losses, the Indians did not give back, the canoes came closer and closer, +many of the warriors dropped into the water behind their vessels and fired +from hiding, bullets rained around the little band on the cliff, and +presently struck among them. Two of the rangers were slain and two more +were wounded. Robert saw the Frenchmen in the fleet encouraging the +Indians, and he knew that their enemies were firing at the smoke made by +the rifles of the defenders. Although he and his comrades were invisible to +the French and Indians in the fleet, the bullets sought them out +nevertheless. Wounds were increasing and another of the rangers was killed. +Theirs was quickly becoming an extremely hot corner.</p> + +<p>But Willet, who commanded at that point, gave no order to retreat. He and +all of his men continued to fire as fast as they could reload and take aim. +Yet to choose a target became more difficult, as the firing from the fleet +made a great cloud of smoke about it, in which the French and Indians were +hidden, or, at best, were but wavering phantoms. Robert's excited +imagination magnified them fivefold, but he had no thought of shirking the +battle, and he crept to the very brink, seeking something at which to fire +in the clouds of smoke that were steadily growing larger and blacker.</p> + +<p>The foes upon the lake fought mostly in silence, save for the crackle of +their rifles, but Robert became conscious presently of a great shouting +behind him. In his concentration upon their own combat he had forgotten the +main battle; but now he realized that it was being pressed with great fury +and upon a half circle from the north and west. He looked back and saw that +the forest was filled with smoke pierced by innumerable red flashes; the +rattle of the rifles there made a continuous crash, and then he heard a +tremendous report, followed by a shout of dismay from the rangers.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he cried. "What is it?"</p> + +<p>Willet, who was crouched near him, turned pale, but he replied in a steady +voice.</p> + +<p>"St. Luc has brought a field piece, a twelve-pounder, I think, and they've +opened fire with grape-shot. They'll sweep the whole forest. Who'd have +thought it?"</p> + +<p>The battle sank for a moment, and then a tremendous yell of triumph came +from the Indians. Presently, the cannon crashed again, and its deadly +charge of grape took heavy toll of the rangers. Then the lake and the +mountains gave back the heavy boom of the gun in many echoes, and it was +like the toll of doom. The Indians on both water and shore began to shout +in the utmost fury, and Robert detected the note of triumph in the +tremendous volume of sound. His heart went down like lead. Rogers crept +back to Willet and the two talked together earnestly.</p> + +<p>"The cannon changes everything," said the leader of the rangers. "More than +twenty of my men are dead, and nearly twice as many are wounded. 'Tis +apparent they have plenty of grape, and they are sending it like hail +through the forest. The bushes are no shelter, as it cuts through 'em. +Dave, old comrade, what do you think?"</p> + +<p>"That St. Luc is about to have his revenge for the defeat we gave him at +Andiatarocte. The cannon with its grape turns the scale. They come on with +uncommon fury! It seems to me I hear a thousand rifles all together."</p> + +<p>St. Luc now pressed the attack from every side save the south. The French +and Indians in the fleet redoubled their fire. The twelve-pounder was +pushed forward, and, as fast as the expert French gunners could reload it, +the terrible charges of grape-shot were sent among the rangers. More were +slain or wounded. The little band of defenders on the high cliff +overlooking the lake at last found their corner too hot for them and were +compelled to join the main force. Then the French and Indians in the fleet +landed with shouts of triumph and rushed upon the Americans.</p> + +<p>Robert caught glimpses of other Frenchmen as he faced the forest. Once an +epaulet showed behind a bush and then a breadth of tanned face which he was +sure belonged to De Courcelles. And so this man who had sought to make him +the victim of a deadly trick was here! And perhaps Jumonville also! A +furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, +but it disappeared. He crept a little farther forward, hoping for another +view, and Tayoga noticed his eager, questing gaze.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he asked. "Whom do you hate so much?"</p> + +<p>"I saw the French Colonel, De Courcelles, and I was seeking to draw a bead +on him, but he has gone."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he has, but another takes his place. Look at the clump of bushes +directly in front of us and you will see a pale blue sleeve which beyond a +doubt holds the arm of a French officer. The arm cannot be far away from +the head and body, which I think we will see in time, if we keep on +looking."</p> + +<p>Both watched the bushes with a concentrated gaze and presently the head and +shoulders, following the arm, disclosed themselves. Robert raised his rifle +and took aim, but as he looked down the sights he saw the face among the +leaves, and a shudder shook him. He lowered his rifle.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dagaeoga?" whispered the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"The man I chose for my target," replied Robert, "was not De Courcelles, +nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonnière, who was so kind to us +in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull +trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life."</p> + +<p>"Is he still there?"</p> + +<p>Robert looked again and De Galissonnière was gone. He felt immense relief. +He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to +face in battle.</p> + +<p>The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the +rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and +muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers +was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been +exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded +so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades.</p> + +<p>They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and +holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving +rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all +the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly +than on that day.</p> + +<p>Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and +firing whenever he could secure a good aim.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"No," replied the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance."</p> + +<p>"He is here."</p> + +<p>"But you said you hadn't seen him."</p> + +<p>"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we +observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more +than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it +every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it +is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure."</p> + +<p>Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of +Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder +again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many +times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising +at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked +eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet +through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at +which to aim.</p> + +<p>Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled +with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so many +dangers, merely to take part in such a disaster? Unconsciously he began to +shout in an effort to encourage those with him, and although he did not +know it, it was a reply to the war cries of Tandakora. The smoke and the +odors of the burned gunpowder filled his nostrils and throat, and heated +his brain. Now and then he would stop his own shouting and listen for the +reply of Tandakora. Always it came, the ferocious note of the Ojibway +swelling and rising above the warwhoop of the other Indians.</p> + +<p>"Dagaeoga looks for Tandakora," said the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"Truly, yes," replied Robert. "Just now it's my greatest wish in life to +find him with a bullet. I hear his voice almost continuously, but I can't +see him! I think the smoke hides him."</p> + +<p>"No, Dagaeoga, it is not the smoke, it is Areskoui. I know it, because the +Sun God has whispered it in my ear. You will hear the voice of Tandakora +all through the battle, but you will not see him once."</p> + +<p>"Why should your Areskoui protect a man like Tandakora, who deserves death, +if anyone ever did?"</p> + +<p>"He protects him, today merely, not always. It is understood that I shall +meet Tandakora in the final reckoning. I told him so, when I was his +captive, and he struck me in the face. It was no will of mine that made me +say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them. So, I know, +O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now. His time is +not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks."</p> + +<p>Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and +his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a +prophet's. The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the +depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true. Then the +tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as +before, his body remained invisible. Tandakora's Indians, many of whom had +come with him from the far shores of the Great Lakes, showed all the +cunning and courage that made them so redoubtable in forest warfare. Armed +with good French muskets and rifles they crept forward among the thickets, +and poured in an unceasing fire. Encouraged by the success at Oswego, and +by the knowledge that the great St. Luc, the best of all the French +leaders, was commanding the whole force, their ferocity rose to the highest +pitch and it was fed also by the hope that they would destroy all the hated +and dreaded rangers whom they now held in a trap.</p> + +<p>Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds, +and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush, +and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed +boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before +the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal, +always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the +bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers.</p> + +<p>"It's a powerful attack," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because +they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded. +They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the +battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This +place is becoming too much exposed."</p> + +<p>They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they +could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely +missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed +closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by +hundreds of rifles and muskets.</p> + +<p>Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around +them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the +rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert +knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his +place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor +and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly +superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with +him in the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us."</p> + +<p>"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men. +St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap. +There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap."</p> + +<p>"I hate to yield the field."</p> + +<p>"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to +lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your +standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever."</p> + +<p>The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked +sadly upon his fallen men. He was bleeding himself from two slight wounds, +but he paid no attention to them. The need to flee pierced his soul, but +he saw that it must be done, else all the rangers would be destroyed, and, +while he still hesitated a moment or two, the silver whistle of St. Luc, +urging on a fresh and greater attack, rose above all the sounds of combat. +Then he knew that he must wait no longer, and he gave the command for +ordered flight.</p> + +<p>Not more than half of the rangers escaped from that terrible converging +attack. St. Luc's triumph was complete. He had won full revenge for his +defeat by Andiatarocte, and he pushed the pursuit with so much energy and +skill that Rogers bade the surviving rangers scatter in the wilderness to +reassemble again, after their fashion, far to the south.</p> + +<p>Black Rifle remained with the leader, but Robert, Tayoga and Willet +continued their flight together, not stopping until night, when they were +safe from pursuit. As the three went southward through the deep forest, +they saw many trails that they knew to be those of hostile Indians, and +nowhere did they find a sign of a friend. All the wilderness seemed to have +become the country of the enemy. When they looked once more from the lofty +shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they +watched they discovered that they were those of the foe. A terrible fear +clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St. Luc, had struck +already.</p> + +<p>"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga. "All that we find +in the forest proclaims it."</p> + +<p>"I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you +are."</p> + +<p>They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon. +Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, +following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced +south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the +dense thickets for rest. The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than +usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky +folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension.</p> + +<p>They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their +blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and +its touch was damp. Clouds also covered all the skies, and, before long, a +thin, drizzling rain fell. They would have been cold, and, in time, wet to +the bone, but the blankets were sufficient to protect them.</p> + +<p>"Areskoui, after smiling upon us for so long, has now turned his face from +us," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>"What else can you expect?" said the valiant Willet. "It is always so in +war. You're up and then you're down. We were masters of the peaks for a +while, and by our capture of Garay's letter we kept St. Luc from attacking +Albany, but the stars never fight for you all the time. We couldn't do +anything that would save the rangers from defeat."</p> + +<p>The Onondaga looked up. The others could not see his face, but it was +reverential, and the cold rain that fell upon it had then no chill for +him. Instead it was soothing.</p> + +<p>"Tododaho is on his great star beyond the clouds," he said, "and he is +looking down on us. We have done wrong or he and Areskoui would not have +withdrawn their favor from us, but we have done it unknowingly, and, in +time, they will forgive us. As long as the Onondagas are true to him +Tododaho will watch over them, although at times he may punish them."</p> + +<p>That Tododaho was protecting them even then was proved conclusively to +Tayoga before the night was over. A great war party passed within a hundred +yards of them, going swiftly southward, but the three, swathed in their +blankets, and, hidden in the dark thickets, had no fear. They were merely +three motes in the wilderness and the warriors did not dream that they were +near. When the last sound of their marching had sunk into nothingness, +Tayoga said:</p> + +<p>"It was not the will of Tododaho that they should suspect our presence, but +I fear that they go to a triumph."</p> + +<p>They rose from the thicket early the following morning, and resumed their +flight, but it soon came to a halt, when the Onondaga pointed to a trail in +the forest, made apparently by about twenty warriors. The hawk eye of +Tayoga, however, picked out one trace among them which all three knew was +made by a white man.</p> + +<p>"I know, too," said the red youth, "the white man who made it."</p> + +<p>"Tell us his name," said the hunter, who had full confidence in the +wonderful powers of the Onondaga.</p> + +<p>"It is the Frenchman, Langlade, who held Dagaeoga a prisoner in his village +so long. I know his traces, because I followed them before. His foot is +very small, and it has been less than an hour since he passed here. They +are ahead of us, directly in our path."</p> + +<p>"What do you think we ought to do, Dave?" asked Robert, anxiously. "You +know we want to go south as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>"We must try to go around Langlade," replied Willet. "It's true, we'll lose +time, but it's better to lose time and be late a little than to lose our +lives and never get there at all."</p> + +<p>"The Great Bear is a very wise man," said Tayoga.</p> + +<p>They made at once a sharp curve toward the east, but just when they thought +they were passing parallel with Langlade's band, they were fired upon from +a thicket, the bullet singing by Robert's ear. The three took cover in the +bushes, and a long and trying combat of sharpshooters took place. Two +warriors were slain and both Willet and Tayoga were grazed by the Indian +fire, but they were not hurt. Robert once caught sight of Langlade, and he +might have dropped the partisan with his bullet, but his heart held his +hand. Langlade had shown him many a kindness, during his long captivity +and, although he was a fierce enemy now, the lad was not one to forget. As +he had spared De Galissonnière, so would he spare Langlade, and, in a +moment or two, the Frenchman was gone from his sight.</p> + +<p>Another dark and rainy night came, and, protected by it, they crept in +silence past the partisan's band soon leaving this new danger far behind +them. Tayoga was very grateful, and accepted their escape as a sign.</p> + +<p>"While Manitou, who rules all things, has decreed that we must suffer much +before victory," he said, "yet, as I see it, he has decreed also that we +three shall not fall, else why does he spread so many dangers before us, +and then take us safely through them?"</p> + +<p>"It looks the same way to me," said Willet. "The dark and rainy night that +he sent enabled us to pass by Langlade and his band."</p> + +<p>"A second black night following a first," said Tayoga, devoutly. "I do not +doubt that it was sent for our benefit by Manitou, who is lord even over +Tododaho and Areskoui."</p> + +<p>They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they +caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake's +glittering waters. But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians +upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that +Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at +least, to their enemies. Yet the three themselves were favored. The rain +ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight +became easy. A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, +furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they +were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure.</p> + +<p>"It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated," said Tayoga in his +precise language, "that the frown of Manitou is not for us three. The way +opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends."</p> + +<p>"If we have any friends left," said the hunter. "I fear greatly, Tayoga, +that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive. He has a powerful force +with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed."</p> + +<p>"He has struck already and he has struck terribly," said Tayoga with great +gravity.</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?" asked Robert, startled.</p> + +<p>"I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words," +replied the Onondaga, "but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more +potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning +me. We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement. The +governors of the provinces have not acted together. Everyone is of his own +mind, and no two minds are alike. No effort was made to profit by the great +victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte. Waraiyageh, sore in body +and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been +ready and vigorous."</p> + +<p>"While the French and Indians are all that we are not?"</p> + +<p>"Even so. Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he +intends to do. He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below. His +force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in +numbers. He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has +struck. There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I +tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to believe you, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I do. The +conclusion seems inevitable to me."</p> + +<p>"I'm hoping when hope's but faint," said Robert.</p> + +<p>They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at +least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with +precision.</p> + +<p>"Here passed the cannon," said Tayoga. "I judge by the size of the ruts the +wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way. What do you +say, Great Bear?"</p> + +<p>"You're right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; +a child could tell their number. They had other batteries too."</p> + +<p>"And the wooden walls of our forts wouldn't stand much chance against a +continuous fire of twelve and eighteen pounders," said Robert.</p> + +<p>"No," said Willet. "The forts could be saved only by enterprising and +skillful commanders who would drive away the batteries."</p> + +<p>"Here went the warriors," said Tayoga. "They were on the outer edges of the +great trail, walking lightly, according to their custom. See the traces of +the moccasins, scores and scores of them. We will come very soon to a place +where the whole army camped for the night. How do I know, O, Dagaeoga? +Because numerous trails are coming in from the forest and converging upon +one point. They do that because it is time to gather for food and the +night's rest. Some of the warriors went into the forest to hunt game, and +they found it, too. Look at the drops of blood, still faintly showing on +the grass, leading here, and here, and here into the main trail, drops that +fell from the deer they had slain. Also they shot birds. Behold feathers +hanging on the bushes, blown there by the wind, which proves that the site +of their camp is very near, as I said."</p> + +<p>"It's just over the hill in that wide, shallow valley," said Willet.</p> + +<p>They entered the valley which had been marked by the departed army with +signs as clear as the print of a book for the Onondaga and the hunter to +read.</p> + +<p>"Here at the northern end of the valley is where the warriors cooked and +ate the deer they had slain," said Tayoga. "The bones are scattered all +about, and we see the ashes of their fires, but they kept mostly to +themselves, because few footprints of white men lead to the place they set +aside as their own. Just beyond them the cannon were parked. All this is +very simple. An Onondaga child eight years old could read what is written +in this camp. Here are the impressions made by the cannon wheels, and just +beside them the artillery horses were tethered, as the numerous hoofprints +show."</p> + +<p>"And here, I imagine," said Robert, who had walked on, "the Marquis de +Montcalm and his lieutenants spent the night. Tents were pitched for them. +You can see the holes left by the pegs."</p> + +<p>"Spoken truly, O, Dagaeoga. You are using eye and mind, and lo! you are +showing once more the beginnings of wisdom. Four tents were pitched. The +rest of the army slept in the open. Montcalm and his lieutenants +themselves would have done so, but the setting up of the tents inspired +respect in the warriors and even in the troops. The French leaders have +mind and they profit by it. They neglect no precaution, no detail to +increase their prestige and maintain their authority."</p> + +<p>"It is so, Tayoga," said Willet, "and I can wish that our own officers +would do the same. The French are marvelously expert in dealing with +Indians. They can handle them all, except the Hodenosaunee. But don't you +think they held a short council here by this log, after they had eaten +their suppers?"</p> + +<p>"It cannot be doubted, Great Bear. Montcalm and his captains sat on the +log. The Indian chiefs sat in a half circle before it, and they smoked a +pipe. See, the traces of the ashes on the grass. They were planning the +attack upon the fort. It is bound to be William Henry, because the trail +leads in that direction."</p> + +<p>"And these marks on the log, Tayoga, show that there was some indecision, +at first, and much talking. Two or three of the French officers had their +hunting knives in their hands, and they carved nervously at the log, just +as a man will often whittle as he argues."</p> + +<p>"Well stated, O, Great Bear. After the conference, the chiefs went back in +single file to their own part of the camp. Here goes their trail, and you +can nearly fancy that all stepped exactly in the footprints of the first."</p> + +<p>"The straight, decisive line proves too, Tayoga, that the plan was +completed and everything ready for the attack. The chiefs would not have +gone away in such a manner if they had not been satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Well stated again, Great Bear. The Marquis de Montcalm also went directly +back to his tent. See, where the boot heels pressed."</p> + +<p>"But you have no way of knowing," said Robert, "that the traces of boot +heels indicate the Marquis."</p> + +<p>"O, Dagaeoga, after all my teaching, you forget again that mind can see +where the eye cannot. Train the mind! Train the mind, and you will get much +profit from it. The traces of these boot heels lead directly to the place +where the largest tent stood. We know it was the largest, because the holes +left by the tent pegs are farthest apart. And we know it belonged to the +Marquis de Montcalm, because, always having that keen eye for effect, the +French Commander-in-Chief would have no tent but the largest."</p> + +<p>"True as Gospel, Tayoga," said the hunter, "and the French officers +themselves had a little conference in the tent of the Marquis, after they +had finished with the Indian chiefs. Here, within the square made by the +pegs, are the prints of many boot heels and they were not all made by the +Marquis, since they are of different sizes. Probably they were completing +some plans in regard to the artillery, since the warriors would have +nothing to do with the big guns. Here are ashes, too, in the corner near +one of the pegs. I think it likely that the Marquis smoked a thoughtful +pipe after all the others had gone."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dave," said Robert, "and he had much to think about. The officers +from Europe find things tremendously changed when they come from their +open fields into this mighty wilderness. We know what happened to Braddock, +because we saw it, and we had a part in it. I can understand his mistake. +How could a soldier from Europe read the signs of the forest, signs that he +had never seen before, and foresee the ambush?"</p> + +<p>"He couldn't, Robert, lad, but while countries change in character men +themselves don't. Braddock was brave, but he should have remembered that he +was not in Europe. The Marquis de Montcalm remembers it. He made no mistake +at Oswego and he is making none here. He took the Indian chiefs into +council, as we have just seen. He placates them, he humors their whims, and +he draws out of them their full fighting power to be used for the French +cause."</p> + +<p>Tayoga ranged about the shallow valley a little, and announced that the +whole force had gone on together the morning after the encampment.</p> + +<p>"The artillery and the infantry were in close ranks," he said, "and the +warriors were on either flank, scouting in the forest, forming a fringe +which kept off possible scouts of the English and Americans. There was no +chance of a surprise attack which would cut up the forces of Montcalm and +impede his advance."</p> + +<p>Willet sighed.</p> + +<p>"The Marquis, although he may not have known it," he said, "was in no +danger from such an enterprise. We have read the signs too well, Tayoga. +Our own people have been lying in their forts, weak of will, waiting to +defend themselves, while the French and their allies have had all the +wilderness to range over, and in which they might do as they pleased. It is +easy to see where the advantage lies."</p> + +<p>"And we shall soon learn what has happened," said Tayoga, gravely.</p> + +<p>The next morning they met an American scout who told them the terrible news +of the capture of Fort William Henry, with its entire garrison, by +Montcalm, and the slaughter afterward of many of the prisoners by the +Indians.</p> + +<p>Robert was appalled.</p> + +<p>"Is Lake George to remain our only victory?" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"It's better to have a bad beginning and a good ending than a good +beginning and a bad ending," said the scout.</p> + +<p>"Remember," said Tayoga, "how Areskoui watched over us, when we were among +the peaks. As he watched over us then so later on he will watch over our +cause."</p> + +<p>"It was only for a moment that I felt despair," said Robert. "It is certain +that victory always comes to those who know how to work and wait."</p> + +<p>Courage rose anew in their hearts, and once more they sped southward, +resolved to make greater efforts than any that had gone before.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;"> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. 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Altsheler + +Release Date: February 26, 2004 [EBook #11311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTERS OF THE PEAKS *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Nicolas Hayes, Beth Scott and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +The MASTERS of the PEAKS + +A STORY OF THE GREAT NORTH WOODS + + +BY JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER + +1918 + + + + +FOREWORD + + +"The Masters of the Peaks," while presenting a complete story in +itself is the fourth volume of the French and Indian War Series, of +which the predecessors were "The Hunters of the Hills," "The Shadow +of the North," and "The Rulers of the Lakes." Robert Lennox, Tayoga, +Willet, and all the other important characters of the earlier romances +reappear in the present book. + + + + +CHARACTERS IN THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR SERIES + + +ROBERT LENNOX: A lad of unknown origin + +TAYOGA A young Onondaga warrior + +DAVID WILLET A hunter + +RAYMOND LOUIS DE ST. LUC A brilliant French officer + +AUGUSTE DE COURCELLES A French officer + +FRANCOIS DE JUMONVILLE A French officer + +LOUIS DE GALISSONNIERE A young French officer + +JEAN DE MEZY A corrupt Frenchman + +ARMAND GLANDELET A young Frenchman + +PIERRE BOUCHER A bully and bravo + +PHILIBERT DROUILLARD A French priest + +THE MARQUIS DUQUESNE Governor-General of Canada + +MARQUIS DE VAUDREUIL Governor-General of Canada + +FRANCOIS BIGOT Intendant of Canada + +MARQUIS DE MONTCALM French commander-in-chief + +DE LEVIS A French general + +BOURLAMAQUE A French general + +BOUGAINVILLE A French general + +ARMAND DUBOIS A follower of St. Luc + +M. DE CHATILLARD An old French Seigneur + +CHARLES LANGLADE A French partisan + +THE DOVE The Indian wife of Langlade + +TANDAKORA An Ojibway chief + +DAGONOWEDA A young Mohawk chief + +HENDRICK An old Mohawk chief + +BRADDOCK A British general + +ABERCROMBIE A British general + +WOLFE A British general + +COL. WILLIAM JOHNSON Anglo-American leader + +MOLLY BRANT Col. Wm. Johnson's Indian wife + +JOSEPH BRANT Young brother of Molly Brant, afterward + the great Mohawk chief, Thayendanegea + +ROBERT DINWIDDIE Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia + + + + +CHARACTERS + + +William Shirley Governor of Massachusetts + +Benjamin Franklin Famous American patriot + +James Colden A young Philadelphia captain + +William Wilton A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Hugh Carson A young Philadelphia lieutenant + +Jacobus Huysman An Albany burgher + +Caterina Jacobus Huysman's cook + +Alexander McLean An Albany schoolmaster + +Benjamin Hardy A New York merchant + +Johnathan Pillsbury Clerk to Benjamin Hardy + +Adrian Van Zoon A New York merchant + +The Slaver A nameless rover + +Achille Garay A French spy + +Alfred Grosvenor A young English officer + +James Cabell A young Virginian + +Walter Stuart A young Virginian + +Black Rifle A famous "Indian fighter" + +Elihu Strong A Massachusetts colonel + +Alan Hervey A New York financier + +Stuart Whyte Captain of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +John Latham Lieutenant of the British sloop, _Hawk_ + +Edward Charteris A young officer of the Royal Americans + +Zebedee Crane A young scout and forest runner + +Robert Rogers Famous Captain of American Rangers + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + + +I. IN THE DEEP WOODS + +II. ON THE RIDGES + +III. THE BRAVE DEFENCE + +IV. THE GODS AT PLAY + +V. TAMING A SPY + +VI. PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +VII. THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +VIII. BEFORE MONTCALM + +IX. THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +X. THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +XI. THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +XII. THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +XIII. READING THE SIGNS + +XIV. ST. LUC'S REVENGE + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +IN THE DEEP WOODS + +A light wind sang through the foliage, turned to varying and vivid +hues now by the touch of autumn, and it had an edge of cold that made +Robert Lennox shiver a little, despite a hardy life in wilderness and +open. But it was only a passing feeling. A moment or two later he +forgot it, and, turning his eyes to the west, watched the vast +terraces of blazing color piled one above another by the sinking sun. + +Often as he had seen it the wonderful late glow over the mighty forest +never failed to stir him, and to make his pulse beat a little faster. +His sensitive mind, akin in quality to that of a poet, responded with +eagerness and joy to the beauty and majesty of nature. Forgetting +danger and the great task they had set for themselves, he watched the +banks of color, red and pink, salmon and blue, purple and yellow, +shift and change, while in the very heart of the vast panorama the +huge, red orb, too strong for human sight, glittered and flamed. + +The air, instinct with life, intoxicated him and he became rapt as in +a vision. People whom he had met in his few but eventful years passed +before him again in all the seeming of reality, and then his spirit +leaped into the future, dreaming of the great things he would see, and +in which perhaps he would have a share. + +Tayoga, the young Onondaga, looked at his comrade and he understood. +The same imaginative thread had been woven into the warp of which +he was made, and his nostrils and lips quivered as he drank in the +splendor of a world that appealed with such peculiar force to him, a +son of the woods. + +"The spirit of Areskoui (the Sun God) is upon Dagaeoga, and he has +left us to dwell for a little while upon the seas of color heaped +against the western horizon," he said. + +Willet, the hunter, smiled. The two lads were very dear to him. He +knew that they were uncommon types, raised by the gift of God far +above the normal. + +"Let him rest there, Tayoga," he said, "while those brilliant banks +last, which won't be long. All things change, and the glorious hues +will soon give way to the dark." + +"True, Great Bear, but if the night comes it, in turn, must yield to +the dawn. All things change, as you say, but nothing perishes. The sun +tomorrow will be the same sun that we see today. Black night will not +take a single ray from its glory." + +"It's so, Tayoga, but you talk like a book or a prophet. I'm wondering +if our lives are not like the going and coming of the sun. Maybe we +pass on from one to another, forever and forever, without ending." + +"Great Bear himself feels the spell of Areskoui also." + +"I do, but we'd better stop rhapsodizing and think about our needs. +Here, Robert, wake up and come back to earth! It's no time to sing a +song to the sun with the forest full of our red enemies and the white +too, perhaps." + +Robert awoke with a start. + +"You dragged me out of a beautiful world," he said. + +"A world in which you were the central star," rejoined the hunter. + +"So I was, but isn't that the case with all the imaginary worlds a man +creates? He's their sun or he wouldn't create 'em." + +"We're getting too deep into the unknown. Plant your feet on the solid +earth, Robert, and let's think about the problems a dark night is +going to bring us in the Indian country, not far south of the St. +Lawrence." + +Young Lennox shivered again. The terraces in the west suddenly began +to fade and the wind took on a fresh and sharper edge. + +"I know one thing," he said. "I know the night's going to be cold. It +always is in the late autumn, up here among the high hills, and I'd +like to see a fire, before which we could bask and upon which we could +warm our food." + +The hunter glanced at the Onondaga. + +"That tells the state of my mind, too," he said, "but I doubt whether +it would be safe. If we're to be good scouts, fit to discover the +plans of the French and Indians, we won't get ourselves cut off by +some rash act in the very beginning." + +"It may not be a great danger or any at all," said Tayoga. "There is +much rough and rocky ground to our right, cut by deep chasms, and +we might find in there a protected recess in which we could build a +smothered fire." + +"You're a friend at the right time, Tayoga," said Robert. "I feel that +I must have warmth. Lead on and find the stony hollow for us." + +The Onondaga turned without a word, and started into the maze of lofty +hills and narrow valleys, where the shadows of the night that was +coming so swiftly already lay thick and heavy. + +The three had gone north after the great victory at Lake George, a +triumph that was not followed up as they had hoped. They had waited +to see Johnson's host pursue the enemy and strike him hard again, but +there were bickerings among the provinces which were jealous of one +another, and the army remained in camp until the lateness of the +season indicated a delay of all operations, save those of the scouts +and roving bands that never rested. But Robert, Willet and Tayoga +hoped, nevertheless, that they could achieve some deed of importance +during the coming cold weather, and they were willing to undergo great +risks in the effort. + +They were soon in the heavy forest that clothed all the hills, and +passed up a narrow ravine leading into the depths of the maze. The +wind followed them into the cleft and steadily grew colder. The +glowing terraces in the west broke up, faded quite away, and night, as +yet without stars, spread over the earth. + +Tayoga was in front, the other two following him in single file, +stepping where he stepped, and leaving to him without question the +selection of a place where they could stay. The Onondaga, guided by +long practice and the inheritance from countless ancestors who had +lived all their lives in the forest, moved forward with confidence. +His instinct told him they would soon come to such a refuge as they +desired, the rocky uplift about him indicating the proximity of many +hollows. + +The darkness increased, and the wind swept through the chasms with +alternate moan and whistle, but the red youth held on his course for +a full two miles, and his comrades followed without a word. When the +cliffs about them rose to a height of two or three hundred feet, he +stopped, and, pointing with a long forefinger, said he had found what +they wished. + +Robert at first could see nothing but a pit of blackness, but +gradually as he gazed the shadows passed away, and he traced a deep +recess in the stone of the cliff, not much of a shelter to those +unused to the woods, but sufficient for hardy forest runners. + +"I think we may build a little fire in there," said Tayoga, "and no +one can see it unless he is here in the ravine within ten feet of us." + +Willet nodded and Robert joyfully began to prepare for the blaze. The +night was turning even colder than he had expected, and the chill +was creeping into his frame. The fire would be most welcome for its +warmth, and also because of the good cheer it would bring. He swept +dry leaves into a heap within the recess, put upon them dead wood, +which was abundant everywhere, and then Tayoga with artful use of +flint and steel lighted the spark. + +"It is good," admitted the hunter as he sat Turkish fashion on the +leaves, and spread out his hands before the growing flames. "The +nights grow cold mighty soon here in the high hills of the north, and +the heat not only loosens up your muscles, but gives you new courage." + +"I intend to make myself as comfortable as possible," said Robert. +"You and Tayoga are always telling me to do so and I know the advice +is good." + +He gathered great quantities of the dry leaves, making of them what +was in reality a couch, upon which he could recline in halfway fashion +like a Roman at a feast, and warm at the fire before him the food he +carried in a deerskin knapsack. An appetizing odor soon arose, and, as +he ate, a pleasant warmth pervaded all his body, giving him a feeling +of great content. They had venison, the tender meat of the young bear +which, like the Indians, they loved, and they also allowed themselves +a slice apiece of precious bread. Water was never distant in the +northern wilderness, and Tayoga found a brook not a hundred yards +away, flowing down a ravine that cut across their own. They drank at +it in turn, and, then, the three lay down on the leaves in the recess, +grateful to the Supreme Power which provided so well for them, even in +the wild forest. + +They let the flames die, but a comfortable little bed of coals +remained, glowing within the shelter of the rocks. Young Lennox heaped +up the leaves until they formed a pillow under his head, and then +half dreaming, gazed into the heart of the fire, while his comrades +reclined near him, each silent but with his mind turned to that which +concerned him most. + +Robert's thoughts were of St. Luc, of the romantic figure he had +seen in the wilderness after the battle of Lake George, the knightly +chevalier, singing his gay little song of mingled sentiment and +defiance. An unconscious smile passed over his face. He and St. Luc +could never be enemies. In very truth, the French leader, though an +official enemy, had proved more than once the best of friends, ready +even to risk his life in the service of the American lad. What was +the reason? What could be the tie between them? There must be some +connection. What was the mystery of his origin? The events of the last +year indicated to him very clearly that there was such a mystery. +Adrian Van Zoon and Master Benjamin Hardy surely knew something about +it, and Willet too. Was it possible that a thread lay in the hand of +St. Luc also? + +He turned his eyes from the coals and gazed at the impassive face of +the hunter. Once the question trembled on his lips, but he was sure +the Great Bear would evade the answer, and the lad thought too much of +the man who had long stood to him in the place of father to cause him +annoyance. Beyond a doubt Willet had his interests at heart, and, when +the time came for him to speak, speak he would, but not before. + +His mind passed from the subject to dwell upon the task they had set +for themselves, a thought which did not exclude St. Luc, though the +chevalier now appeared in the guise of a bold and skillful foe, with +whom they must match their wisdom and courage. Doubtless he had formed +a new band, and, at the head of it, was already roaming the country +south of the St. Lawrence. Well, if that were the case perhaps they +would meet once more, and he would have given much to penetrate the +future. + +"Why don't you go to sleep, Robert?" asked the hunter. + +"For the best of reasons. Because I can't," replied the lad. + +"Perhaps it's well to stay awake," said the Onondaga gravely. + +"Why, Tayoga?" + +"Someone comes." + +"Here in the ravine?" + +"No, not in the ravine but on the cliff opposite us." + +Robert strained both eye and ear, but he could neither see nor hear +any human being. The wall on the far side of the ravine rose to a +considerable height, its edge making a black line against the sky, but +nothing there moved. + +"Your fancy is too much for you, Tayoga," he said. "Thinking that +someone might come, it creates a man out of air and mist." + +"No, Dagaeoga, my fancy sleeps. Instead, my ear, which speaks only the +truth, tells me a man is walking along the crest of the cliff, and +coming on a course parallel with our ravine. My eye does not yet see +him, but soon it will confirm what my ear has already told me. This +deep cleft acts as a trumpet and brings the sound to me." + +"How far away, then, would you say is this being, who, I fear, is +mythical?" + +"He is not mythical. He is reality. He is yet about three hundred +yards distant. I might not have heard him, even with the aid of the +cleft, but tonight Areskoui has given uncommon power to my ear, +perhaps to aid us, and I know he is walking among thick bushes. I can +hear the branches swish as they fly back into place, after his body +has passed. Ah, a small stick popped as it broke under his foot!" + +"I heard nothing." + +"That is not my fault, O Dagaeoga. It is a heavy man, because I now +hear his footsteps, even when they do not break anything. He walks +with some uncertainty. Perhaps he fears lest he should make a false +step, and tumble into the ravine." + +"Since you can tell so much through hearing, at such a great distance, +perhaps you know what kind of a man the stranger is. A warrior, I +suppose?" + +"No, he is not of our race. He would not walk so heavily. It is a +white man." + +"One of Rogers' rangers, then? Or maybe it is Rogers himself, or +perhaps Black Rifle." + +"It is none of those. They would advance with less noise. It is one +not so much used to the forest, but who knows the way, nevertheless, +and who doubtless has gone by this trail before." + +"Then it must be a Frenchman!" + +"I think so too." + +"It won't be St. Luc?" + +"No, Dagaeoga, though your tone showed that for a moment you hoped it +was. Sharp Sword is too skillful in the forest to walk with so heavy +a step. Nor can it be either of the leaders, De Courcelles or +Jumonville. They also are too much at home in the woods. The right +name of the man forms itself on my lips, but I will wait to be sure. +In another minute he will enter the bare space almost opposite us and +then we can see." + +The three waited in silence. Although Robert had expressed doubt he +felt none. He had a supreme belief in the Onondaga's uncanny powers, +and he was quite sure that a man was moving upon the bluff. A stranger +at such a time was to be watched, because white men came but little +into this dangerous wilderness. + +A dark figure appeared within the prescribed minute upon the crest and +stopped there, as if the man, whoever he might be, wished to rest and +draw fresh breath. The sky had lightened and he was outlined clearly +against it. Robert gazed intently and then he uttered a little cry. + +"I know him!" he said. "I can't be mistaken. It's Achille Garay, the +one whose name we found written on a fragment of a letter in Albany." + +"It's the man who tried to kill you, none other," said Tayoga gravely, +"and Areskoui whispered in my ear that it would be he." + +"What on earth can he be doing here in this lone wilderness at such a +time?" asked Robert. + +"Likely he's on his way to a French camp with information about our +forces," said Willet. "We frightened Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, when we +were in Albany, but I suppose that once a spy and traitor always a +spy and traitor. Since the immediate danger has moved from Albany, +Martinus and Garay may have begun work again." + +"Then we'd better stop him," said Robert. + +"No, let him go on," said Willet. "He can't carry any information +about us that the French leaders won't find out for themselves. +The fact that he's traveling in the night indicates a French camp +somewhere near. We'll put him to use. Suppose we follow him and +discover what we can about our enemies." + +Robert looked at the cheerful bed of coals and sighed. They were +seeking the French and Indians, and Garay was almost sure to lead +straight to them. It was their duty to stalk him. + +"I wish he had passed in the daytime," he said ruefully. + +Tayoga laughed softly. + +"You have lived long enough in the wilderness, O Dagaeoga," he said, +"to know that you cannot choose when and where you will do your work." + +"That's true, Tayoga, but while my feet are unwilling to go my will +moves me on. So I'm entitled to more credit than you who take an +actual physical de light in trailing anybody at any time." + +The Onondaga smiled, but did not reply. Then the three took up their +arms, returned their packs to their backs and without noise left the +alcove. Robert cast one more reluctant glance at the bed of coals, but +it was a farewell, not any weakening of the will to go. + +Garay, after his brief rest on the summit, had passed the open space +and was out of sight in the bushes, but Robert knew that both Tayoga +and Willet could easily pick up his trail, and now he was all +eagerness to pursue him and see what the chase might disclose. A +little farther down, the cliff sloped back to such an extent that they +could climb it without trouble, and, when they surmounted the crest, +they entered the bushes at the point where Garay had disappeared. + +"Can you hear him now, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"My ears are as good as they were when I was in the ravine," replied +the Onondaga, "but they do not catch any sounds from the Frenchman. +It is, as we wish, because we do not care to come so near him that he +will hear." + +"Give him a half mile start," said Willet. "The ground is soft here, +and it won't be any sort of work to follow him. See, here are the +traces of his footsteps now, and there is where he has pushed his way +among the little boughs. Notice the two broken twigs, Robert." + +They followed at ease, the trail being a clear one, and the light of +moon and stars now ample. Robert began to feel the ardor of the chase. +He did not see Garay, but he believed that Tayoga at times heard him +with those wonderful ears of his. He rejoiced too that chance had +caused them to find the French spy in the wilderness. He remembered +that foul attempt upon his life in Albany, and, burning with +resentment, he was eager to thwart Garay in whatever he was now +attempting to do. Tayoga saw his face and said softly: + +"You hate this man Garay?" + +"I don't like him." + +"Do you wish me to go forward and kill him?" + +"No! No, Tayoga! Why do you ask me such a cold-blooded question?" + +The Onondaga laughed gently. + +"I was merely testing you, Dagaeoga," he said. "We of the Hodenosaunee +perhaps do not regard the taking of life as you do, but I would not +shoot Garay from ambush, although I might slay him in open battle. Ah, +there he is again on the crest of the ridge ahead!" + +Robert once more saw the thick, strong figure of the spy outlined +against the sky which was now luminous with a brilliant moon and +countless clear stars, and the feeling of resentment was very powerful +within him. Garay, without provocation, had attempted his life, and +he could not forget it, and, for a moment or two, he felt that if +the necessity should come in battle he was willing for a bullet from +Tayoga to settle him. Then he rebuked himself for harboring rancor. + +Garay paused, as if he needed another rest, and looked back, though it +was only a casual glance, perhaps to measure the distance he had come, +and the three, standing among the dense bushes, had no fear that he +saw them or even suspected that anyone was on his traces. After a +delay of a minute or so he passed over the crest and Robert, Willet +and Tayoga moved on in pursuit. The Frenchman evidently knew his path, +as the chase led for a long time over hills, down valleys and across +small streams. Toward morning he put his fingers to his lips and blew +a shrill whistle between them. Then the three drew swiftly near +until they could see him, standing under the boughs of a great oak, +obviously in an attitude of waiting. + +"It is a signal to someone," said Robert. + +"So it is," said Willet, "and it means that he and we have come to +the end of our journey. I take it that we have arrived almost at the +French and Indian camp, and that he whistles because he fears lest he +should be shot by a sentinel through mistake. The reply should come +soon." + +As the hunter spoke they heard a whistle, a faint, clear note far +ahead, and then Garay without hesitation resumed his journey. The +three followed, but when they reached the crest of the next ridge they +saw a light shining through the forest, a light that grew and finally +divided into many lights, disclosing to them with certainty the +presence of a camp. The figure of Garay appeared for a little while +outlined against a fire, another figure came forward to meet him, and +the two disappeared together. + +From the direction of the fires came sounds subdued by the distance, +and the aroma of food. + +"It is a large camp," said Tayoga. "I have counted twelve fires which +proves it, and the white men and the red men in it do not go hungry. +They have deer, bear, fish and birds also. The pleasant odors of them +all come to my nostrils, and make me hungry." + +"That's too much for me," said Robert. "I can detect the blended +savor, but I know not of what it consists. Now we go on, I suppose, +and find out what this camp holds." + +"We wouldn't dream of turning back," said the hunter. "Did you notice +anything familiar, Robert, about the figure that came forward to meet +Garay?" + +"Now that you speak of it, I did, but I can't recall the identity of +the man." + +"Think again!" + +"Ah, now I have him! It was the French officer, Colonel Auguste de +Courcelles, who gave us so much trouble in Canada and elsewhere." + +"That's the man," said Willet. "I knew him at once. Now, wherever De +Courcelles is mischief is likely to be afoot, but he's not the only +Frenchman here. We'll spy out this camp to the full. There's time yet +before the sunrise comes." + +Now the three used all the skill in stalking with which they were +endowed so plentifully, creeping forward without noise through the +bushes, making so little stir among them that if a wary warrior had +been looking he would have taken the slight movement of twig or leaf +for the influence of a wandering breeze. Gradually the whole camp came +into view, and Tayoga's prediction that it would be a large one proved +true. + +Robert lay on a little knoll among small bushes growing thick, where +the keenest eye could not see him, but where his own vision swept +the whole wide shallow dip, in which the French and Indian force was +encamped. Twelve fires, all good and large, burned gayly, throwing out +ruddy flames from great beds of glowing coals, while the aroma of food +was now much stronger and very appetizing. + +The force numbered at least three hundred men, of whom about one third +were Frenchmen or Canadians, all in uniform. Robert recognized De +Courcelles and near him Jumonville, his invariable comrade, and a +little farther on a handsome and gallant young face. + +"It's De Galissonniere of the Battalion Languedoc, whom we met in +Quebec," he whispered to Tayoga. "Now I wonder what he's doing here." + +"He's come with the others on a projected foray," Tayoga whispered +back. "But look beyond him, Dagaeoga, and you will see one more to be +dreaded than De Courcelles or Jumonville." + +Robert's gaze followed that of the young Onondaga and was intercepted +by the huge figure of Tandakora, the Ojibway, who stood erect by one +of the fires, bare save for a breech cloth and moccasins, his body +painted in the most hideous designs, of which war paint was possible, +his brow lowering. + +"Tandakora is not happy," said Tayoga. + +"No," said Robert. "He is thinking of the battle at Lake George that +he did not win, and of all the scalps he did not take. He is thinking +of his lost warriors, and the rout of his people and the French." + +"Even so, Dagaeoga. Now Tandakora and De Courcelles talk with the spy, +Garay. They want his news. They rejoice when he tells them Waraiyageh +and his soldiers still make no preparations to advance after their +victory by the lake. The long delay, the postponement of a big +campaign until next spring will give the French and Indians time to +breathe anew and renew their strength. Tandakora and De Courcelles +consider themselves fortunate, and they are pleased with the spy, +Garay. But look, Dagaeoga! Behold who comes now!" + +Robert's heart began to throb as the handsomest and most gallant +figure of them all walked into the red glow of the firelight, a tall +man, young, lithe, athletic, fair of hair and countenance, his manner +at once graceful and proud, a man to whom the others turned with +deference, and perhaps in the case of De Courcelles and Jumonville +with a little fear. He wore a white uniform with gold facings, and +a small gold hilted sword swung upon his thigh. Even in the forest, +dress impresses, and Robert was quite sure that St. Luc was in his +finest attire, not from vanity, but because he wished to create an +effect. It would be like him, when his fortunes were lowest, to assume +his highest manner before both friend and foe. + +"You'd think from his looks that he had nothing but a string of +victories and never knew defeat," whispered Willet. "Anyway, his is +the finest spirit in all that crowd, and he's the greatest leader +and soldier, too. Notice how they give way to him, and how they stop +asking questions of Garay, leaving it to him. And now Garay himself +bows low before him, while De Courcelles, Jumonville and Tandakora +stand aside. I wish we could hear what they say; then we might learn +something worth all our risk in coming here." + +But their voices did not reach so great a distance, though the three, +eager to use eye even if ear was of no use, still lay in the bushes +and watched the flow of life in the great camp. Many of the French and +Indians who had been asleep awoke, sat up and began to cook breakfast +for themselves, holding strips of game on sharp sticks over the coals. +St. Luc talked a long while with Garay, afterward with the French +officers and Tandakora, and then withdrew to a little knoll, where he +leaned against a tree, his face expressing intense thought. A dark, +powerfully built man, the Canadian, Dubois, brought him food which he +ate mechanically. + +The dusk floated away, and the sun came up, great and brilliant. The +three stirred in their covert, and Willet whispered that it was time +for them to be going. + +"Only the most marvelous luck could save us from detection in the +daylight," he said, "because presently the Indians, growing restless, +will wander about the camp." + +"I'm willing to go," Robert whispered back. "I know the danger is too +great. Besides I'm starving to death, and the odors of all their good +food will hasten my death, if I don't take an antidote." + +They retreated with the utmost care and Robert drew an immense breath +of relief when they were a full mile away. It was well to look upon +the French and Indian camp, but it was better to be beyond the reach +of those who made it. + +"And now we make a camp of our own, don't we?" he said. "All my bones +are stiff from so much bending and creeping. Moreover, my hunger has +grown to such violent pitch that it is tearing at me, so to speak, +with red hot pincers." + +"Dagaeoga always has plenty of words," said Tayoga in a whimsical +tone, "but he will have to endure his hunger a while longer. Let the +pincers tear and burn. It is good for him. It will give him a chance +to show how strong he is, and how a mighty warrior despises such +little things as food and drink." + +"I'm not anxious to show myself a mighty warrior just now," retorted +young Lennox. "I'd be willing to sacrifice my pride in that respect if +I could have carried off some of their bear steaks and venison." + +"Come on," said Willet, "and I'll see that you're satisfied. I'm +beginning to feel as you do, Robert." + +Nevertheless he marshaled them forward pretty sternly and they pursued +a westward course for many miles before he allowed a halt. Even then +they hunted about among the rocks until they found a secluded place, +no fire being permitted, at which it pleased Robert to grumble, +although he did not mean it. + +"We were better off last night when we had our little fire in the +hollow," he said. + +"So we were, as far as the body is concerned," rejoined Willet, +"but we didn't know then where the Indian camp lay. We've at least +increased our knowledge. Now, I'm thinking that you two lads, who have +been awake nearly all night and also the half of the morning that has +passed, ought to sleep. Time we have to spare, but you know we should +practice all the economy we can with our strength. This place is +pretty well hidden, and I'll do the watching. Spread your blankets on +the leaves, Robert. It's not well even for foresters to sleep on the +bare ground. Now draw the other half of it over you. Tayoga has done +so already. I'm wondering which of you will get to sleep first. +Whoever does will be the better man, a question I've long wanted to +decide." + +But the problem was still left for the future. They fell asleep so +nearly at the same time that Willet could tell no difference. He +noticed with pleasure their long, regular breathing, and he said to +himself, as he had said so often before, that they were two good and +brave lads. + +Then he made a very comfortable cushion of fallen leaves to sit upon, +and remained there a long time, his rifle across his knees. + +His eyes were wide open, but no part of his body stirred. He had +acquired the gift of infinite patience, and with it the difficult +physical art of remaining absolutely motionless for a long time. So +thorough was his mastery over himself that the small wild game began +to believe by and by that he was not alive. Birds sang freely over his +head and the hare hopped through the undergrowth. Yet the hunter saw +everything and his very stillness enabled him to listen with all the +more acuteness. + +The sun which had arisen great and brilliant, remained so, flooding +the world with golden lights and making it wonderfully alluring to +Willet, whose eyes never grew weary of the forest's varying shades and +aspects. They were all peaceful now, but he had no illusions. He knew +that the hostile force would send out many hunters. So many men must +have much game and presently they would be prowling through the woods, +seeking deer and bear. The chief danger came from them. + +The hours passed and noon arrived. Willet had not stirred. He did +not sleep, but he rested nevertheless. His great body was relaxed +thoroughly, and strength, after weariness, flowed back into his veins. +Presently his head moved forward a little and his attitude grew more +intent. A slight sound that was not a part of the wilderness had come +to him. It was very faint, few would have noticed it, but he knew it +was the report of a rifle. He knew also that it was not a shot fired +in battle. The hunters, as he had surmised, were abroad, and they had +started up a deer or a bear. + +But Willet did not stir nor did his eyelids flicker. He was used to +the proximity of foes, and the distant report did not cause his heart +to miss a single beat. Instead, he felt a sort of dry amusement that +they should be so near and yet know it not. How Tandakora would have +rejoiced if there had been a whisper in his ear that Willet, Robert +and Tayoga whom he hated so much were within sound of his rifle! And +how he would have spread his nets to catch such precious game! + +He heard a second shot presently from the other side, and then the +hunter began to laugh softly to himself. His faint amusement was +turning into actual and intense enjoyment. The Indian hunters were +obviously on every side of them but did not dream that the finest game +of all was at hand. They would continue to waste their time on deer +and bear while the three formidable rangers were within hearing of +their guns. + +But the hunter was still silent. His laughter was wholly internal, and +his lips did not even move. It showed only in his eye and the general +expression of his countenance. A third shot and a fourth came, but no +anxiety marred his sense of the humorous. + +Then he heard the distant shouts of warriors in pursuit of a wounded +bear and still he was motionless. + +Willet knew that the French and Tandakora suspected no pursuit. They +believed that no American rangers would come among the lofty peaks and +ridges south of the border, and he and his comrades could lie in safe +hiding while the hunt went on with unabated zeal. But he was sure one +day would be sufficient for the task. That portion of the wilderness +was full of game, and, since the coming of the war, deer and bear were +increasing rapidly. Willet often noted how quickly game returned to +regions abandoned by man, as if the wild animals promptly told one +another the danger had passed. + +Joyous shouts came now and then and he knew that they marked the +taking of game, but about the middle of the afternoon the hunt drifted +entirely away. A little later Tayoga awoke and sat up. Then Willet +moved slightly and spoke. + +"Tandakora's hunters have been all about us while you slept," he said, +"but I knew they wouldn't find us." + +"Dagaeoga and I were safe in the care of the Great Bear," said the +Onondaga confidently. "Tandakora will rage if we tell him some day +that we were here, to be taken if he had only seen us. Now Lennox +awakes also! O Dagaeoga, you have slept and missed all the great +jest." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga?" + +"Tandakora built his fire just beyond the big bush that grows ten feet +away, and sat there two hours without suspecting our presence here." + +"Now I know you are romancing, Tayoga, because I can see the twinkle +in your eyes. But I suspect that what you say bears some remote +relation to the truth." + +"The hostile hunters passed while you slept, and while I slept also, +but the Great Bear was all eyes and ears and he did not think it +needful to awaken us." + +"What are we going to do now, Dave?" + +"Eat more venison. We must never fail to keep the body strong." + +"And then?" + +"I'm not sure. I thought once that we'd better go south to our army at +Lake George with news of this big band, but it's a long distance down +there, and it may be wiser to stay here and watch St. Luc. What do you +say, Robert?" + +"Stay here." + +"And you, Tayoga?" + +"Watch St. Luc." + +"I was inclining to that view myself, and it's settled now. But we +mustn't move from this place until dark; it would be too dangerous in +the day." + +The lads nodded and the three settled into another long period of +waiting. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +ON THE RIDGES + +Late in the afternoon Willet went to sleep and Robert and Tayoga +watched, although, as the hunter had done, they depended more upon +ear than eye. They too heard now and then the faint report of distant +shots from the hunt, and Robert's heart beat very fast, but, if the +young Onondaga felt emotion, he did not show it. At twilight, they +ate a frugal supper, and when the night had fully come they rose and +walked about a little to make their stiffened muscles elastic again. + +"The hunters have all gone back to the camp now," said Tayoga, "since +it is not easy to pursue the game by dusk, and we need not keep so +close, like a bear in its den." + +"And the danger of our being seen is reduced to almost nothing," said +Robert. + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but we will have another fight to make. We must +strive to keep ourselves from freezing. It turns very cold on the +mountains! The wind is now blowing from the north, and do you not feel +a keener edge to it?" + +"I do," replied Robert, sensitive of body as well as mind, and he +shivered as he spoke. "It's a most unfortunate change for us. But now +that I think of it we've got to expect it up among the high mountains +toward Canada. Shall we light another fire?" + +"We'll talk of that later with the Great Bear when he comes out of his +sleep. But it fast grows colder and colder, Dagaeoga!" + +Weather was an enormous factor in the lives of the borderers. +Wilderness storms and bitter cold often defeated their best plans, and +shelterless men, they were in a continual struggle against them. And +here in the far north, among the high peaks and ridges, there was much +to be feared, even with official winter yet several weeks away. + +Robert began to rub his cold hands, and, unfolding his blanket, he +wrapped it about his body, drawing it well up over his neck and ears. +Tayoga imitated him and Willet, who was soon awakened by the cold +blast, protected himself in a similar manner. + +"What does the Great Bear think?" asked the Onondaga. + +The hunter, with his face to the wind, meditated a few moments before +replying. + +"I was testing that current of air on my face and eyes," he said, +"and, speaking the truth, Tayoga, I don't like it. The wind seemed to +grow colder as I waited to answer you. Listen to the leaves falling +before it! Their rustle tells of a bitter night." + +"And while we freeze in it," said Robert, whose imagination was +already in full play, "the French and Indians build as many and big +fires as they please, and cook before them the juicy game they killed +today." + +The hunter was again very thoughtful. + +"It looks as if we would have to kindle a fire," he said, "and +tomorrow we shall have to hunt bear or deer for ourselves, because we +have food enough left for only one more meal." + +"The face of Areskoui is turned from us," said Tayoga. "We have done +something to anger him, or we have failed to do what he wished, and +now he sends upon us a hard trial to test us and purify us! A great +storm with fierce cold comes!" + +The wind rose suddenly, and it began to make a sinister hissing among +all the passes and gorges. Robert felt something damp upon his face, +and he brushed away a melting flake of snow. But another and another +took its place and the air was soon filled with white. And the flakes +were most aggressive. Driven by the storm they whipped the cheeks +and eyes of the three, and sought to insert themselves, often with +success, under their collars, even under the edges of the protecting +blankets, and down their backs. Robert, despite himself, shivered +violently and even the hunter was forced to walk vigorously back and +forth in the effort to keep warm. It was evident that the Onondaga had +told the truth, and that the face of Areskoui was in very fact turned +from them. + +Robert awaited the word, looking now and then at Willet, but the +hunter hung on for a long time. The leaves fell in showers before the +storm, making a faint rustling like the last sigh of the departing, +and the snow, driven with so much force, stung his face like hail when +it struck. He was anxious for a fire, and its vital heat, but he was +too proud to speak. He would endure without complaint as much as his +comrades, and he knew that Tayoga, like himself, would wait for the +older man to speak. + +But he could not keep, meanwhile, from thinking of the French and +Indians beside their vast heaps of glowing coals, fed and warmed to +their hearts' content, while the three lay in the dark and bitter cold +of the wilderness. An hour dragged by, then two, then three, but the +storm showed no sign of abating. The sinister screaming of the wind +did not cease and the snow accumulated upon their bodies. At last +Willet said: + +"We must do it." + +"We have no other choice," said Tayoga. "We have waited as long as we +could to see if Areskoui would turn a favoring face upon us, but his +anger holds. It will not avail, if in our endeavor to escape the +tomahawk of Tandakora, we freeze to death." + +The fire decided upon, they took all risks and went about the task +with eagerness. Ordinary men could not have lighted it under such +circumstances, but the three had uncommon skill upon which to draw. +They took the bark from dead wood, and shaved off many splinters, +building up a little heap in the lee of a cliff, which they sheltered +on the windward side with their bodies. Then Willet, working a long +time with his flint and steel, set to it the sparks that grew into a +blaze. + +Robert did not stop with the fire. Noticing the vast amount of dead +wood lying about, as was often the case in the wilderness, he dragged +up many boughs and began to build a wall on the exposed side of the +flames. Willet and Tayoga approving of the idea soon helped him, and +three pairs of willing hands quickly raised the barrier of trunks and +brush to a height of at least a yard. + +"A happy idea of yours, Robert," said the hunter. "Now we achieve two +ends at once. Our wall hides the glow of the fire and at the same time +protects us in large measure from the snow and wind." + +"I have bright thoughts now and then," said Robert, whose spirits had +returned in full tide. "You needn't believe you and Tayoga have all +of 'em. I don't believe either of you would have ever thought of this +fine wooden wall. In truth, Dave, I don't know what would become of +you and Tayoga if you didn't have me along with you most all the +time! How good the fire feels! The warmth touches my fingers and goes +stealing up my arms and into my body! It reaches my face too and +goes stealing down to meet the fine heat that makes a channel of my +fingers! A glorious fire, Tayoga! I tell you, a glorious fire, Dave! +The finest fire that's burning anywhere in the world!" + +"The quality of a fire depends on the service it gives," said the +hunter. + +"Dagaeoga has many words when he is happy," said the Onondaga. "His +tongue runs on like the pleasant murmur of a brook, but he does it +because Manitou made him that way. The world must have talkers as +well as doers, and it can be said for Lennox that he acts as well as +talks." + +"Thanks, I'm glad you put in the saving clause," laughed Robert. "But +it's a mighty good thing we built our wooden wall. That wind would cut +to the bone if it could get at you." + +"The wind at least will keep the warriors away," said Tayoga. "They +will all stay close in the camp on such a night." + +"And no blame to them," murmured the hunter. "If we weren't in the +Indian country I'd build our own fire five times as big. Now, Robert, +suppose you go to sleep." + +"I can't, Dave. You know I slept all the morning, but I'm not +suffering from dullness. I'm imagining things. I'm imagining how much +worse off we'd be if we didn't have flint and steel. I can always find +pleasure in making such contrasts." + +But he crouched down lower against the cliff, drew his blanket closer +and spread both hands over the fire, which had now died down into a +glowing mass of coals. He was wondering what they would do on the +morrow, when their food was exhausted. They had not only the storm to +fight, but possible starvation in the days to come. He foresaw that +instead of discovering all the plans of the enemy they would have a +struggle merely to live. + +"Areskoui must truly be against us, Tayoga," he said. "Who would have +predicted such a storm so early in the season?" + +"We are several thousand feet above the sea level," said Willet, "and +that will account for the violent change. I think the wind and snow +will last all tonight, and probably all tomorrow." + +"Then," said Robert, "we'd better gather more wood, build our wall +higher and save ample fuel for the fire." + +The other two found the suggestion good, and all three acted upon +it promptly, ranging through the forest about them in search of +brushwood, which they brought back in great quantities. Robert's blood +began to tingle with the activity, and his spirits rose. Now the snow, +as it drove against his face, instead of making him shiver, whipped +his blood. He was the most energetic of the three, and went the +farthest, in the hunt for fallen timber. + +One of his trips took him into the mouth of a little gorge, and, as +he bent down to seize the end of a big stick, he heard just ahead a +rustling that caused him with instinctive caution to straighten up and +spring back, his hand, at the same time, flying to the butt of the +pistol in his belt. A figure, tall and menacing, emerged from the +darkness, and he retreated two or three steps. + +It was his first thought that a warrior stood before him, but reason +told him quickly no Indian was likely to be there, and, then, through +the thick dusk and falling snow, he saw a huge black bear, erect on +his hind legs, and looking at him with little red eyes. The animal was +so near that the lad could see his expression, and it was not anger +but surprise and inquiry. He divined at once that this particular bear +had never seen a human being before, and, having been roused from some +warm den by Robert's advance, he was asking what manner of creature +the stranger and intruder might be. + +Robert's first impulse was one of friendliness. It did not occur to +him to shoot the bear, although the big fellow, fine and fat, would +furnish all the meat they needed for a long time. Instead his large +blue eyes gave back the curious gaze of the little red ones, and, for +a little space, the two stood there, face to face, with no thought of +danger or attack on the part of either. + +"If you'll let me alone I'll let you alone," said the lad. + +The bear growled, but it was a kindly, reassuring growl. + +"I didn't mean to disturb you. I was looking for wood, not for bear." + +Another growl, but of a thoroughly placid nature. + +"Go wherever you please and I'll return to the camp with this fallen +sapling." + +A third growl, now ingratiating. + +"It's a cold night, with fire and shelter the chief needs, and you and +I wouldn't think of fighting." + +A fourth growl which clearly disclosed the note of friendship and +understanding. + +"We're in agreement, I see. Good night, I wish you well." + +A fifth growl, which had the tone of benevolent farewell, and the +bear, dropping on all fours, disappeared in the brush. Robert, whose +fancy had been alive and leaping, returned to the camp rather pleased +with himself, despite the fact that about three hundred pounds of +excellent food had walked away undisturbed. + +"I ran upon a big bear," he said to the hunter and the Onondaga. + +"I heard no shot," said Willet. + +"No, I didn't fire. Neither my impulse nor my will told me to do so. +The bear looked at me in such brotherly fashion that I could never +have sent a bullet into him. I'd rather go hungry." + +Neither Willet nor Tayoga had any rebuke for him. + +"Doubtless the soul of a good warrior had gone into the bear and +looked out at you," said the Onondaga with perfect sincerity. "It is +sometimes so. It is well that you did not fire upon him or the face of +Areskoui would have remained turned from us too long." + +"That's just the way I felt about it," said Robert, who had great +tolerance for Iroquois beliefs. "His eyes seemed fully human to me, +and, although I had my pistol in my belt and my hand when I first saw +him flew to its butt, I made no attempt to draw it. I have no regrets +because I let him go." + +"Nor have we," said Willet. "Now I think we can afford to rest again. +We can build our wall six feet high if we want to and have wood enough +left over to feed a fire for several days." + +The two lads, the white and the red, crouched once more in the lee of +the cliff, while the hunter put two fresh sticks on the coals. But +little of the snow reached them where they lay, wrapped well in their +blankets, and all care disappeared from Robert's mind. Inured to the +wilderness he ignored what would have been discomfort to others. The +trails they had left in the snow when they hunted wood would soon be +covered up by the continued fall, and for the night, at least, there +would be no danger from the warriors. He felt an immense comfort and +security, and by-and-by fell asleep again. Tayoga soon followed him to +slumberland, and Willet once more watched alone. + +Tayoga relieved Willet about two o'clock in the morning, but they did +not awaken Robert at all in the course of the night. They knew that he +would upbraid them for not summoning him to do his share, but there +would be abundant chance for him to serve later on as a sentinel. + +The Onondaga did not arouse his comrades until long past daylight, and +then they opened their eyes to a white world, clear and cold. The snow +had ceased falling, but it lay several inches deep on the ground, and +all the leaves had been stripped from the trees, on the high point +where they lay. The coals still glowed, and they heated over them +the last of their venison and bear meat, which they ate with keen +appetite, and then considered what they must do, concluding at last to +descend into the lower country and hunt game. + +"We can do nothing at present so far as the war is concerned," said +Willet. "An army must eat before it can fight, but it's likely that +the snow and cold will stop the operations of the French and Indians +also. While we're saving our own lives other operations will be +delayed, and later on we may find Garay going back." + +"It is best to go down the mountain and to the south," said Tayoga, in +his precise school English. "It may be that the snow has fallen only +on the high peaks and ridges. Then we'll be sure to find game, and +perhaps other food which we can procure without bullets." + +"Do you think we'd better move now?" asked Robert. + +"We must send out a scout first," said Willet. + +It was agreed that Tayoga should go, and in about two hours he +returned with grave news. The warriors were out again, hunting in the +snow, and although unconscious of it themselves they formed an almost +complete ring about the three, a ring which they must undertake to +break through now in full daylight, and with the snow ready to leave a +broad trail of all who passed. + +"They would be sure to see our path," said Tayoga. "Even the short +trail I made when I went forth exposes us to danger, and we must trust +to luck that they will not see it. There is nothing for us to do, but +to remain hidden here, until the next night comes. It is quite certain +that the face of Areskoui is still turned from us. What have we done +that is displeasing to the Sun God?" + +"I can't recall anything," said Robert. + +"Perhaps it is not what we have done but what we have failed to do, +though whatever it is Areskoui has willed that we lie close another +day." + +"And starve," said Robert ruefully. + +"And starve," repeated the Onondaga. + +The three crouched once more under the lee of the cliff, but toward +noon they built their wooden wall another foot higher, driven to the +work by the threatening aspect of the sky, which turned to a somber +brown. The wind sprang up again, and it had an edge of damp. + +"Soon it will rain," said Tayoga, "and it will be a bitter cold rain. +Much of the snow will melt and then freeze again, coating the earth +with ice. It will make it more difficult for us to travel and the +hunting that we need so much must be delayed. Then we'll grow hungrier +and hungrier." + +"Stop it, Tayoga," exclaimed Robert. "I believe you're torturing me on +purpose. I'm hungry now." + +"But that is nothing to what Dagaeoga will be tonight, after he has +gone many hours without food. Then he will think of the juicy venison, +and of the tender steak of the young bear, and of the fine fish from +the mountain streams, and he will remember how he has enjoyed them in +the past, but it will be only a memory. The fish that he craves will +be swimming in the clear waters, and the deer and the bear will be far +away, safe from his bullet." + +"I didn't know you had so much malice in your composition, Tayoga, but +there's one consolation; if I suffer you suffer also." + +The Onondaga laughed. + +"It will give Dagaeoga a chance to test himself," he said. "We know +already that he is brave in battle and skillful on the trail, and now +we will see how he can sit for days and nights without anything to +eat, and not complain. He will be a hero, he will draw in his belt +notch by notch, and never say a word." + +"That will do, Tayoga," interrupted the hunter. "While you play upon +Robert's nerves you play upon mine also, and they tell me you've said +enough. Actually I'm beginning to feel famished." + +Tayoga laughed once more. + +"While I jest with you I jest also with myself," he said. "Now we'll +sleep, since there is nothing else to do." + +He drew his blanket up to his eyes, leaned against the stony wall and +slept. Robert could not imitate him. As the long afternoon, one of the +longest he had ever known, trailed its slow length away, he studied +the forest in front of them, where the cold and mournful rain was +still falling, a rain that had at least one advantage, as it had long +since obliterated all traces of a trail left by Tayoga on his scouting +expedition, although search as he would he could find no other profit +in it. + +Night came, the rain ceased, and, as Tayoga had predicted, the intense +cold that arrived with the dark, froze it quickly, covering the earth +with a hard and polished glaze, smoother and more treacherous than +glass. It was impossible for the present to undertake flight over +such a surface, with a foe naturally vigilant at hand, and they made +themselves as comfortable as they could, while they awaited another +day. Now Robert began to draw in his belt, while a hunger that was +almost too fierce to be endured assailed him. His was a strong body, +demanding much nourishment, and it cried out to him for relief. He +tried to forget in sleep that he was famished, but he only dozed a +while to awaken to a hunger more poignant than ever. + +Yet he said never a word, but, as the night with its illimitable hours +passed, he grew defiant of difficulties and dangers, all of which +became but little things in presence of his hunger. It was his impulse +to storm the Indian camp itself and seize what he wanted of the +supplies there, but his reason told him the thought was folly. Then he +tried to forget about the steaks of bear and deer, and the delicate +little fish from the mountain stream that Tayoga had mentioned, but +they would return before his eyes with so much vividness that he +almost believed he saw them in reality. + +Dawn came again, and they had now been twenty-four hours without food. +The pangs of hunger were assailing all three fiercely, but they did +not yet dare go forth, as the morning was dark and gloomy, with a +resumption of the fierce, driving rain, mingled with hail, which +rattled now and then like bullets on their wooden wall. + +Robert shivered in his blanket, not so much from actual cold as from +the sinister aspect of the world, and his sensitive imagination, +which always pictured both good and bad in vivid colors, foresaw the +enormous difficulties that would confront them. Hunger tore at him, +as with the talons of a dragon, and he felt himself growing weak, +although his constitution was so strong that the time for a decline in +vitality had not yet really come. He was all for going forth in the +storm and seeking game in the slush and cold, ignoring the French and +Indian danger. But he knew the hunter and the Onondaga would not hear +to it, and so he waited in silence, hot anger swelling in his heart +against the foes who kept him there. Unable to do anything else, he +finally closed his eyes that he might shut from his view the gray and +chilly world that was so hostile. + +"Is Areskoui turning his face toward us, Tayoga?" he asked after a +long wait. + +"No, Dagaeoga. Our unknown sin is not yet expiated. The day grows +blacker, colder and wetter." + +"And I grow hungrier and hungrier. If we kill deer or bear we must +kill three of each at the same time, because I intend to eat one all +by myself, and I demand that he be large and fat, too. I suppose we'll +go out of this place some time or other." + +"Yes, Dagaeoga." + +"Then we'd better make up our minds to do it before it's too late. I +feel my nerves and tissues decaying already." + +"It's only your fancy, Dagaeoga. You can exist a week without food." + +"A week, Tayoga! I don't want to exist a week without food! I +absolutely refuse to do so!" + +"The choice is not yours, now, O Dagaeoga. The greatest gift you can +have is patience. The warrior, Daatgadose, of the clan of the Bear, of +the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, even +as I am, hemmed in by enemies in the forest, and with his powder and +bullets gone, lay in hiding ten days without food once passing his +lips, and took no lasting hurt from it. You, O Dagaeoga, will +surely do as well, and I can give you many other examples for your +emulation." + +"Stop, Tayoga. Sometimes I'm sorry you speak such precise English. If +you didn't you couldn't have so much sport with a bad situation." + +The Onondaga laughed deeply and with unction. He knew that Robert was +not complaining, that he merely talked to fill in the time, and he +went on with stories of illustrious warriors and chiefs among his +people who had literally defied hunger and thirst and who had lived +incredible periods without either food or water. Willet listened in +silence, but with approval. He knew that any kind of talk would cheer +them and strengthen them for the coming test which was bound to be +severe. + +Feeling that no warriors would be within sight at such a time they +built their fire anew and hovered over the flame and the coals, +drawing a sort of sustenance from the warmth. But when the day was +nearly gone and there was no change in the sodden skies Robert +detected in himself signs of weakness that he knew were not the +product of fancy. Every inch of his healthy young body cried out for +food, and, not receiving it, began to rebel and lose vigor. + +Again he was all for going forth and risking everything, and he +noticed with pleasure that the hunter began to shift about and to peer +into the forest as if some plan for action was turning in his mind. +But he said nothing, resolved to leave it all to Tayoga and Willet, +and by-and-by, in the dark, to which his eyes had grown accustomed, he +saw the two exchanging glances. He was able to read these looks. +The hunter said: "We must try it. The time has come." The Onondaga +replied: "Yes, it is not wise to wait longer, lest we grow too feeble +for a great effort." The hunter rejoined: "Then it is agreed," and the +Onondaga said: "If our comrade thinks so too." Both turned their eyes +to young Lennox who said aloud: "It's what I've been waiting for a +long time. The sooner we leave the better pleased I'll be." + +"Then," said Willet, "in an hour we'll start south, going down the +trail between the high cliffs, and we'll trust that either we've +expiated our sin, whatever it was, or that Areskoui has forgiven us. +It will be terrible traveling, but we can't wait any longer." + +They wrapped their blankets about their bodies as additional covering, +and, at the time appointed, left their rude shelter. Yet when they +were away from its protection it did not seem so rude. When their +moccasins sank in the slush and the snow and rain beat upon their +faces, it was remembered as the finest little shelter in the world. +The bodies of all three regretted it, but their wills and dire +necessity sent them on. + +The hunter led, young Lennox followed and Tayoga came last, their feet +making a slight sighing sound as they sank in the half-melted snow and +ice now several inches deep. Robert wore fine high moccasins of tanned +mooseskin, much stronger and better than ordinary deerskin, but before +long he felt the water entering them and chilling him to the bone. +Nevertheless, keeping his resolution in mind, and, knowing that the +others were in the same plight, he made no complaint but trudged +steadily on, three or four feet behind Willet, who chose the way that +now led sharply downward. Once more he realized what an enormous +factor changes in temperature were in the lives of borderers and how +they could defeat supreme forethought and the greatest skill. Winter +with its snow and sleet was now the silent but none the less potent +ally of the French and Indians in preventing their escape. + +They toiled on two or three miles, not one of the three speaking. The +sleet and hail thickened. In spite of the blanket and the deerskin +tunic it made its way along his neck and then down his shoulders and +chest, the chill that went downward meeting the chill that came upward +from his feet, now almost frozen. He could not recall ever before +having been so miserable of both mind and body. He did not know it +just then, but the lack of nourishment made him peculiarly susceptible +to mental and physical depression. The fires of youth were not burning +in his veins, and his vitality had been reduced at least one half. + +Now, that terrible hunger, although he had striven to fight it, +assailed him once more, and his will weakened slowly. What were those +tales Tayoga had been telling about men going a week or ten days +without food? They were clearly incredible. He had been less than two +days without it, and his tortures were those of a man at the stake. + +Willet's eyes, from natural keenness and long training, were able to +pierce the dusk and he showed the way, steep and slippery though it +was, with infallible certainty. They were on a lower slope, where by +some freak of the weather there was snow instead of slush, when he +bent down and examined the path with critical and anxious eyes. Robert +and Tayoga waited in silence, until the hunter straightened up again. +Then he said: + +"A war party has gone down the pass ahead of us. There were about +twenty men in it, and it's not more than two hours beyond us. Whether +it's there to cut us off, or has moved by mere chance, I don't know, +but the effect is just the same. If we keep on we'll run into it." + +"Suppose we try the ascent and get out over the ridges," said Robert. + +Willet looked up at the steep and lofty slopes on either side. + +"It's tremendously bad footing," he replied, "and will take heavy toll +of our strength, but I see no other way. It would be foolish for us to +go on and walk straight into the hands of our enemies. What say you, +Tayoga?" + +"There is but a single choice and that a desperate one. We must try +the summits." + +They delayed no longer, and, Willet still leading, began the frightful +climb, choosing the westward cliff which towered above them a +full four hundred feet, and, like the one that faced it, almost +precipitous. Luckily many evergreens grew along the slope and using +them as supports they toiled slowly upward. Now and then, in spite of +every precaution, they sent down heaps of snow that rumbled as it +fell into the pass. Every time one of these miniature avalanches fell +Robert shivered. His fancy, so vitally alive, pictured savages in the +pass, attracted by the noise, and soon to fire at his helpless figure, +outlined against the slope. + +"Can't you go a little faster?" he said to Willet, who was just ahead. + +"It wouldn't be wise," replied the hunter. "We mustn't risk a fall. +But I know why you want to hurry on, Robert. It's the fear of being +shot in the back as you climb. I feel it too, but it's only fancy with +both of us." + +Robert said no more, but, calling upon his will, bent his mind to +their task. Above him was the dusky sky and the summit seemed to tower +a mile away, but he knew that it was only sixty or seventy yards now, +and he took his luxurious imagination severely in hand. At such a time +he must deal only in realities and he subjected all that he saw to +mathematical calculation. Sixty or seventy yards must be sixty or +seventy yards only and not a mile. + +After a time that seemed interminable Willet's figure disappeared over +the cliff, and, with a gasp, Robert followed, Tayoga coming swiftly +after. The three were so tired, their vitality was so reduced that +they lay down in the snow, and drew long, painful breaths. When some +measure of strength was restored they stood up and surveyed the place +where they stood, a bleak summit over which the wind blew sharply. +Nothing grew there but low bushes, and they felt that, while they may +have escaped the war band, their own physical case was worse instead +of better. Both cold and wind were more severe and a bitter hail beat +upon them. It was obvious that Areskoui did not yet forgive, although +it must surely be a sin of ignorance, of omission and not of +commission, with the equal certainty that a sin of such type could not +be unforgivable for all time. + +"We seem to be on a ridge that runs for a great distance," said +Tayoga. "Suppose we continue along the comb of it. At least we cannot +make ourselves any worse off than we are now." + +They toiled on, now and then falling on the slippery trail, their +vitality sinking lower and lower. Occasionally they had glimpses of a +vast desolate region under a somber sky, peaks and ridges and slopes +over which clouds hovered, the whole seeming to resent the entry of +man and to offer to him every kind of resistance. + +Robert was now wet through and through. No part of his body had +escaped and he knew that his vitality was at such a low ebb that at +least seventy-five per cent, of it was gone. He wanted to stop, his +cold and aching limbs cried out for rest, and he craved heat at the +cost of every risk, but his will was still firm, and he would not be +the first to speak. It was Willet who suggested when they came to a +slight dip that they make an effort to build a fire. + +"The human body, no matter how strong it may be naturally, and how +much it may be toughened by experience, will stand only so much," he +said. + +They were constantly building fires in the wilderness, but the fire +they built that morning was the hardest of them all to start. They +selected, as usual, the lee of a rocky uplift, and, then by the +patient use of flint and steel, and, after many failures, they +kindled a blaze that would last. But in their reduced state the labor +exhausted them, and it was some time before they drew any life from +the warmth. When the circulation had been restored somewhat they piled +on more wood, taking the chance of being seen. They even went so far +as to build a second fire, that they might sit between the two and dry +themselves more rapidly. Then they waited in silence the coming of the +dawn. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +THE BRAVE DEFENSE + +Robert hoped for a fair morning. Surely Areskoui would relent now! But +the sun that crept languidly up the horizon was invisible to them, +hidden by a dark curtain of clouds that might shed, at any moment, +torrents of rain or hail or snow. The whole earth swam in chilly +damp. Banks of cold fog filled the valleys and gorges, and shreds and +patches of it floated along the peaks and ridges. The double fires had +dried his clothing and had sent warmth into his veins, increasing his +vitality somewhat, but it was far below normal nevertheless. He had an +immense aversion to further movement. He wanted to stay there between +the coals, awaiting passively whatever fate might have for him. +Somehow, his will to make an effort and live seemed to have gone. + +While weakness grew upon him and he drooped by the fire, he did not +feel hunger, but it was only a passing phase. Presently the desire for +food that had gnawed at him with sharp teeth came back, and with it +his wish to do, like one stirred into action by pain. Hunger itself +was a stimulus and his sinking vitality was arrested in its decline. +He looked around eagerly at the sodden scene, but it certainly held +out little promise of game. Deer and bear would avoid those steeps, +and range in the valleys. But the will to action, stimulated back to +life, remained. However comfortable it was between the fires they must +not stay there to perish. + +"Why don't we go on?" he said to Willet. + +"I'm glad to hear you ask that question," replied the hunter. + +"Why, Dave?" + +"Because it shows that you haven't given up. If you've got the courage +to leave such a warm and dry place you've got the courage also to make +another fight for life. And you were the first to speak, too, Robert." + +"We must go on," said Tayoga. "But it is best to throw slush over the +fire and hide our traces." + +The task finished they took up their vague journey, going they knew +not where, but knowing that they must go somewhere, their uncertain +way still leading along the crests of narrow ridges, across shallow +dips and through drooping forests, where the wind moaned miserably. At +intervals, it rained or snowed or hailed and once more they were wet +through and through. The recrudescence of Robert's strength was a mere +flare-up. His vitality ebbed again, and not even the fierce gnawing +hunger that refused to depart could stimulate it. By-and-by he began +to stumble, but Tayoga and Willet, who noticed it, said nothing--they +staggered at times themselves. They toiled on for hours in silence, +but, late in the afternoon, Robert turned suddenly to the Onondaga. + +"Do you remember, Tayoga," he said, "something you said to me a couple +of days since, or was it a week, or maybe a month ago? I seem to +remember time very uncertainly, but you were talking about repasts, +banquets, Lucullan banquets, more gorgeous banquets than old Nero had, +and they say he was king of epicures. I think you spoke of tender +venison, and juicy bear steaks, and perhaps of a delicate broiled +trout from one of these clear mountain streams. Am I not right, +Tayoga? Didn't you mention viands? And perhaps you may still be +thinking of them?" + +"I _am_, Dagaeoga. I am thinking of them all the time. I confess to +you that I am so hungry I could gnaw the inside of the fresh bark upon +a tree, and if I were turned loose upon a deer, slain and cooked, I +could eat him all from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail." + +"Stop, you boys," said Willet sternly. "You only aggravate your +sufferings. Isn't that a valley to the right, Tayoga, and don't you +catch the gleam of a little lake among its trees?" + +"It is a valley, Great Bear, and there _is_ a small lake in the +center. We will go there. Perhaps we can catch fish." + +Hope sprang up in Robert's heart. Fish? Why, of course there were fish +in all the mountain lakes! and they never failed to carry hooks and +lines in their packs. Bait could be found easily under the rocks. +He did not conceal his eagerness to descend into the valley and the +others were not less forward than he. + +The valley was about half a square mile in area, of which the lake in +the center occupied one-fourth, the rest being in dense forest. +The three soon had their lines in water, and they waited full of +anticipation, but they waited in vain until long after night had come. +Not one of the three received a bite. The lines floated idly. + +"Every lake in the mountains except one is full of fish--except one!" +exclaimed Robert bitterly, "and this is the one!" + +"No, it is not that," said Tayoga gravely. "It means that the face +of Areskoui is still turned from us, that the good Sun God does not +relent for our unknown sin. We must have offended him deeply that he +should remain angry with us so long. This lake is swarming with fish, +like the others of the mountains, but he has willed that not one +should hang upon our hooks. Why waste time?" + +He drew his line from the water, wound it up carefully and replaced +it in his pack. The others, after a fruitless wait, imitated him, +convinced that he was right. Then, after infinite pains, as before, +they built two fires again, and slept between them. But the next +morning all three were weak. Their vitality had declined fast in the +night, and the situation became critical in the extreme. + +"We must find food or we die," said Willet. "We might linger a long +time, but soon we won't have the strength to hunt, and then it would +only be a question of when the wolves took us." + +"I can hear them howling now on the slopes," said Tayoga. "They know +we are here, and that our strength is declining. They will not face +our rifles, but will wait until we are too weak to use them." + +"What is your plan, Dave?" asked Robert. + +"There must be game on the slopes. What say you, Tayoga?" + +"If Areskoui has willed for game to be there it will be there. He +will even send it to us. And perhaps he has decided that he has now +punished us enough." + +"It certainly won't hurt for us to try, and perhaps we'd better +separate. Robert, you go west; Tayoga, you take the eastern slopes, +and I'll hunt toward the north. By night we'll all be back at this +spot, full-handed or empty-handed, as it may be, but full-handed, I +hope." + +He spoke cheerfully, and the others responded in like fashion. Action +gave them a mental and physical tonic, and bracing their weak bodies +they started in the direction allotted to each. Robert forgot, for a +little while, the terrible hunger that seemed to be preying upon his +very fiber, and, as he started away, showed an elasticity and buoyancy +of which he could not have dreamed himself capable five minutes +before. + +Westward stretched forest, lofty in the valley, high on the slopes and +everywhere dense. He plunged into it, and then looked back. Tayoga and +Willet were already gone from his sight, seeking what he sought. Their +experience in the wilderness was greater than his, and they were +superior to him in trailing, but he was very hopeful that it would be +his good fortune to find the game they needed so badly, the game they +must have soon, in truth, or perish. + +The valley was deep in slush and mire, and the water soaked through +his leggings and moccasins again, but he paid no attention to it now. +His new courage and strength lasted. Glancing up at the heavens he +beheld a little rift in the western clouds. A bar of light was +let through, and his mind, so imaginative, so susceptible to the +influences of earth and air, at once saw it as an omen. It was a +pillar of fire to him, and his faith was confirmed. + +"Areskoui is turning back his face, and he smiles upon us," he said to +himself. Then looking carefully to his rifle, he held it ready for an +instant shot. + +He came to the westward edge of the valley, and found the slope before +him gentle but rocky. He paused there a while in indecision, and, +then glancing up again at the bar of light that had grown broader, he +murmured, so much had he imbibed the religion and philosophy of the +Iroquois: + +"O Areskoui, direct me which way to go." + +The reply came, almost like a whisper in his ear: + +"Try the rocks." + +It always seemed to him that it was a real whisper, not his own mind +prompting him, and he walked boldly among the rocks which stretched +for a long distance along the slopes. Then, or for the time, at least, +he felt sure that a powerful hand was directing him. He saw tracks in +the soft soil between the strong uplifts and he believed that they +were fresh. Hollows were numerous there, and game of a certain kind +would seek them in bitter weather. + +His heart began to pound hard, too heavily, in fact, for his weakened +frame, and he was compelled to stop and steady himself. Then he +resumed the hunt once more, looking here and there between the rocky +uplifts and in the deep depressions. He lost the tracks and then +he found them, apparently fresher than ever. Would he take what he +sought? Was the face of Areskoui still inclining toward him? He looked +up and the bar of light was steadily growing broader and longer. The +smile of the Sun God was deeper, and his doubts went away, one by one. + +He turned toward a tall rock and a black figure sprang up, stared at +him a moment or two, and then undertook to run away. Robert's rifle +leaped to his shoulder, and, at a range so short that he could not +miss, he pulled the trigger. The animal went down, shot through the +heart, and then, silently exulting, young Lennox stood over him. + +Areskoui had, in truth, been most kind. It was a young bear, nearly +grown, very fat, and, as Robert well knew, very tender also. Here was +food, splendid food, enough to last them many days, and he rejoiced. +Then he was in a quandary. He could not carry the bear away, and while +he could cut him up, he was loath to leave any part of him there. The +wolves would soon be coming, insisting upon their share, but he was +resolved they should have none. + +He put his fingers over his mouth and blew between them a whistle, +long, shrill and piercing, a sound that penetrated farther than +the rifle shot. It was answered presently in a faint note from the +opposite slope, and, then sitting down, he waited patiently. He knew +that Tayoga and Willet would come, and, after a while, they appeared, +striding eagerly through the forest. Then Robert rose, his heart full +of gratitude and pride, and, in a grand manner, he did the honors. + +"Come, good comrades," he said. "Come to the banquet. Have a steak of +a bear, the finest, juiciest, tenderest bear that was ever killed. +Have two steaks, three steaks, four steaks, any number of them. Here +is abundant food that Areskoui has sent us." + +Then he reeled and would have fallen to the ground had not Willet +caught him in his arms. His great effort, made in his weakened +condition, had exhausted him and a sudden collapse came, but he +revived almost instantly, and the three together dragged the body of +the bear into the valley. Then they proceeded dextrously, but without +undue haste, to clean it, to light a fire, and to cook strips. Nor did +they eat rapidly, knowing it was not wise to do so, but took little +pieces, masticating them long and well, and allowing a decent interval +between. Their satisfaction was intense and enormous. Life, fresh and +vigorous, poured back into their veins. + +"I'm sorry our bear had to die," said Robert, "but he perished in a +good cause. I think he was reserved for the especial purpose of saving +our lives." + +"It is so," said Tayoga with deep conviction. "The face of Areskoui is +now turned toward us. Our unknown sin is expiated. We must cook all +the bear, and hang the flesh in the trees." + +"So we must," said the hunter. "It's not right that we three, who are +engaged in the great service of our country, should be hindered by the +danger of starvation. We ought now to be somewhere near the French and +Indians, watching them." + +"Tomorrow we will seek them, Great Bear," said Tayoga, "but do you not +think that tonight we should rest?" + +"So we should, Tayoga. You're right. We'll take all chances on being +seen, keep a good fire going and enjoy our comfort." + +"And eat a big black bear steak every hour or so," said Robert. + +"If we feel like it that's just what we'll do," laughed Willet. "It's +our night, now. Surely, Robert, you're the greatest hunter in the +world! Neither Tayoga nor I saw a sign of game, but you walked +straight to your bear." + +"No irony," said Robert, who, nevertheless, was pleased. "It merely +proves that Areskoui had forgiven me, while he had not forgiven you +two. But don't you notice a tremendous change?" + +"Change! Change in what?" + +"Why, everything! The whole world is transformed! Around us a +little while ago stretched a scrubby, gloomy forest, but it is now +magnificent and cheerful. I never saw finer oaks and beeches. That sky +which was black and sinister has all the gorgeous golds and reds and +purples of a benevolent sunset. The wind, lately cold and wet, is +actually growing soft, dry and warm. It's a grand world, a kind world, +a friendly world!" + +"Thus, O Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "does the stomach rule man and the +universe. It is empty and all is black, it is filled and all that +was black turns to rose. But the rose will soon be gone, because the +sunlight is fading and night is at hand." + +"But it's a fine night," said Robert sincerely. "I think it about the +finest night I ever saw coming." + +"Have another of these beautiful broiled steaks," said Willet, "and +you'll be sure it's the finest night that ever was or ever will be." + +"I think I will," said Robert, as he held the steak on the end of a +sharpened stick over the coals and listened to the pleasant sizzling +sound, "and after this is finished and a respectable time has elapsed, +I may take another." + +The revulsion in all three was tremendous. Although they had hidden +it from one another, the great decrease in physical vitality had +made their minds sink into black despair, but now that strength was +returning so fast they saw the world through different eyes. They +lay back luxuriously and their satisfaction was so intense that they +thought little of danger. Tandakora might be somewhere near, but it +did not disturb men who were as happy as they. The night came down, +heavy and dark, as had been predicted, and they smothered their fire, +but they remained before the coals, sunk in content. + +They talked for a while in low tones, but, at length, they became +silent. The big hunter considered. He knew that, despite the revulsion +in feeling, they were not yet strong enough to undertake a great +campaign against their enemies, and it would be better to remain a +while in the valley until they were restored fully. + +Beside their fire was a good enough place for the time, and Robert +kept the first watch. The night, in reality, had turned much warmer +and the sky was luminous with stars. The immense sense of comfort +remained with him, and he was not disturbed by the howling of the +wolves, which he knew had been drawn by the odor of game, but which he +knew also would be afraid to invade the camp and attack three men. + +His spirits, high as they were already, rose steadily as he watched. +Surely after the Supreme Power had cast them down into the depths, a +miracle had been worked in their behalf to take them out again. It was +no skill of his that had led him to the bear, but strength far greater +than that of man was now acting in their behalf. As they had triumphed +over starvation they would triumph over everything. His sanguine mind +predicted it. + +The next morning was crisp and cold, but not wet, and Robert ate the +most savory breakfast he could recall. That bear must have been fed on +the choicest of wild nuts, topped off with wild honey, to have been so +juicy and tender, and the thought of nuts caused him to look under the +big hickory trees, where he found many of them, large and ripe. They +made a most welcome addition to their bill of fare, taking the place +of bread. Then, they were so well pleased with themselves that they +concluded to spend another day and night in the valley. + +Tayoga about noon climbed the enclosing ridge to the north, and, when +he returned, Willet noticed a sparkle in his eyes. But the hunter said +nothing, knowing that the Onondaga would speak in his own good time. + +"There is another valley beyond the ridge," said Tayoga, "and a war +party is encamped in it. They sit by their fire and eat prodigiously +of deer they have killed." + +Robert was startled, but he kept silent, he, too, knowing that Tayoga +would tell all he intended to tell without urging. + +"They do not know we are here, I do not think they dream of our +presence," continued the Onondaga, "Areskoui smiles on us now, and +Tododaho on his star, which we cannot see by day, is watching over us. +Their feet will not bring them this way." + +"Then you wouldn't suggest our taking to flight?" said Willet. "You +would favor hiding here in peace?" + +"Even so. It will please us some day to remember that we rested and +slept almost within hearing of our enemies, and yet they did not take +us." + +"That's grim humor, Tayoga, but if it's the way you feel, Robert and I +are with you." + +Later in the afternoon they saw smoke rising beyond the ridge and +they knew the warriors had built a great fire before which they were +probably lying and gorging themselves, after their fashion when they +had plenty of food, and little else to do. Yet the three remained +defiantly all that day and all through the following night. The next +morning, with ample supplies in their packs, they turned their faces +southward, and cautiously climbed the ridge in that direction, once +more passing into the region of the peaks. To their surprise they +struck several comparatively fresh trails in the passes, and they were +soon forced to the conclusion that the hostile forces were still all +about them. Near midday they stopped in a narrow gorge between high +peaks and listened to calls of the inhabitants of the forest, the +faint howls of wolves, and once or twice the yapping of a fox. + +"The warriors signaling to one another!" said Willet. + +"It is so," said Tayoga. "I think they have noticed our tracks in +the earth, too slight, perhaps, to tell who we are, but they will +undertake to see." + +"I hear the call of a moose directly ahead," said Robert, "although I +know it is no moose that makes it. Our way there is cut off." + +"And there is the howl of the wolf behind us," said Tayoga. "We cannot +go back." + +"Then," said Robert, "I suppose we must climb the mountain. It's lucky +we've got our strength again." + +They scaled a lofty summit once more, fortunately being able to climb +among rocks, where they left no trail, and, crouched at the crest in +dense bushes, they saw two bands meet in the valley below, evidently +searching for the fugitives. There was no white man among them, but +Robert knew a gigantic figure to be that of Tandakora, seeking them +with the most intense and bitter hatred. The muzzle of his rifle began +to slide forward, but Willet put out a detaining hand. + +"No, Robert, lad," he said. "He deserves it, but his time hasn't come +yet. Besides your shot would bring the whole crowd up after us." + +"And he belongs to me," added Tayoga. "When he falls it is to be by my +hand." + +"Yes, he belongs to you, Tayoga," said Willet "Now they've concluded +that we continued toward the south, and they're going on that way." + +As they felt the need of the utmost caution they spent the remainder +of the day and the next night on the crest. Robert kept the late +watch, and he saw the dawn come, red and misty, a huge sun shining +over the eastern mountains, but shedding little warmth. He was hopeful +that Tandakora and his warriors had passed on far into the south, but +he heard a distant cry rising in the clear air east of the peak and +then a reply to the west. His heart stood still for a moment. He +knew that they were the whoops of the savages and he felt that they +signified a discovery. Perhaps chance had disclosed their trail. He +listened with great intentness, but the shouts did not come again. +Nevertheless the omen was bad. + +He awoke Willet and the Onondaga, who had been sleeping soundly, +and told them what had happened, both agreeing that the shouts were +charged with import. + +"I think it likely that we will be attacked," said the hunter. "Now we +must take another look at our position." + +The peak, luckily for them, was precipitous, and its crest did not +cover an area of more than twenty or thirty square yards. On the three +sides the ascent was so steep that a man could not climb up except +with extreme difficulty, but on the fourth, by which they had come, +the slope was more gradual. The gentle climb faced the east, and it +was here that the hunter and Robert watched, while Tayoga, for the +sake of utmost precaution, kept an eye on the steep sides. + +Knowing that it was wise to economize and even to increase their +strength, they ate abundantly of the bear steaks, afterward craving +water, which they were forced to do without--the one great flaw in +their position, since the warriors might hold them there to perish of +thirst. + +Robert soon forgot the desire for water in the tenseness of watching +and waiting. But even the anxiety and the peril to his life did not +keep him from noticing the singularity of his situation, upon the +slender peak of a high mountain far in the wilderness. The sun, full +of splendor but still cold, touched with gold all the surrounding +crests and ridges and filled with a yellow but luxurious haze every +gorge and ravine. He was compelled to admire its wintry beauty, a +beauty, though, that he knew to be treacherous, surcharged as it was +with savage wile and stratagem, and a burning desire for their lives. + +A time that seemed incredible passed without demonstration from the +enemy. But he realized that it was only about two hours. He did not +expect to see any of the warriors creeping up the slopes toward them, +but too wise to watch for their faces he did expect to notice the +bushes move ever so slightly under their advance. He and Willet +remained crouched in the same positions in the shelter of high rocks. +Tayoga, who had been moving about the far side, came to them and +whispered: + +"I am going down the northern face of the cliff!" + +"Why, it's sheer insanity, Tayoga!" said the astonished hunter. + +"But I'm going." + +"What'll you achieve after you've gone? You'll merely walk into +Tandakora's hands!" + +"I go, Great Bear, and I will return in a half hour, alive and well." + +"Is your mind upset, Tayoga?" + +"I am quite sane. Remember, Great Bear, I will be back in a half hour +unhurt." + +Then he was gone, gliding away through the low vegetation that covered +the crest, and Robert and the hunter looked at each other. + +"There is more in this than the eye sees," said young Lennox. "I never +knew Tayoga to speak with more confidence. I think he will be back +just as he says, in half an hour." + +"Maybe, though I don't understand it. But there are lots of things one +doesn't understand. We must keep our eyes on the slope, and let Tayoga +solve his own problem, whatever it is." + +There was no wind at all, but once Robert thought he saw the shrubs +halfway down the steep move, though he was not sure and nothing +followed. But, intently watching the place where the motion had +occurred, he caught a gleam of metal which he was quite sure came from +a rifle barrel. + +"Did you see it?" he whispered to the hunter. + +"Aye, lad," replied Willet. "They're there in that dense clump, hoping +we've relaxed the watch and that they can surprise us. But it may be +two or three hours before they come any farther. Always remember in +your dealings with Indians that they have more time than anything +else, and so they know how to be patient. Now, I wonder what Tayoga is +doing! That boy certainly had something unusual on his mind!" + +"Here he is, ready to speak for himself, and back inside his promised +half hour." + +Tayoga parted the bushes without noise, and sat down between them +behind the big rocks. He offered no explanation, but seemed very +content with himself. + +"Well, Tayoga," said Willet, "did you go down the side of the +mountain?" + +"As far as I wished." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"I have been engaged in a very pleasant task, Great Bear." + +"What pleasure can you find in scaling a steep and rocky slope?" + +"I have been drinking, Great Bear, drinking the fresh, pure water of +the mountains, and it was wonderfully cool and good to my dry throat." + +The two gazed at him in astonishment, and he laughed low, but with +deep enjoyment. + +"I took one drink, two drinks, three drinks," he said, "and when the +time comes I shall take more. The fountain also awaits the lips of the +Great Bear and of Dagaeoga." + +"Tell it all," said Robert. + +"When I looked down the steep side a long time I thought I caught a +gleam as of falling water in the bushes. It was only twenty or thirty +yards below us, and, when I descended to it, I found a little fountain +bursting from a crevice in the rock. It was but a thread, making +a tiny pool a few inches across, before it dropped away among the +bushes, but it is very cool, very clear, and there is always plenty of +it for many men." + +"Is the descent hard?" asked Willet. + +"Not for one who is strong and cautious. There are thick vines and +bushes to which to hold, and remember that the splendid water is at +the end of the journey." + +"Then, Robert, you go," said the hunter, "and mind, too, that you get +back soon, because my throat is parching. I'd like to have one deep +drink before the warriors attack." + +Robert followed Tayoga, and, obeying his instructions, was soon at the +fountain, where he drank once, twice, thrice, and then once more +of the finest water he could recall. Then, deeply grateful for the +Onondaga's observation, he climbed back, and the hunter took his turn. + +"It was certainly good, Tayoga," he said, when he was back in +position. "Some men don't think much of water, but none of us can live +without it. You've saved our lives." + +"Perhaps, O Great Bear," responded the Onondaga, "but if the bushes +below continue to shake as they are doing we shall have to save them +again. Ah!" + +The exclamation, long drawn but low, was followed by the leap of his +rifle to the shoulder, and the pressing of his finger on the trigger. +A stream of fire sprang from the muzzle of the long barrel to be +followed by a yell in one of the thickets clustering on the slope. A +savage rose to his feet, threw up his arms and fell headlong, his body +crashing far below on the rocks. Robert shut his eyes and shivered. + +"He was dead before he touched earth, lad," said the hunter. "Now the +others are ready to scramble back. Look how the bushes are shaking +again!" + +Robert had shut his eyes only for a moment, and now he saw the scrub +shaking more violently than ever. Then he had a fleeting glimpse of +brown bodies as all the warriors descended rapidly. Anyone of the +three might have fired with good aim, but they did not raise their +rifles. Since their enemies were retreating they would let them +retreat. + +"They're all back in the valley now," said the hunter after a little +while, "and they'll think a lot before they try the steep ascent a +second time. Now it's a question of patience, and they hope we'll +become so weak from thirst that we'll fall into their hands." + +"Tandakora and his warriors would be consumed with anger if they knew +of our spring," said Tayoga. + +"They'll find out about it soon," said Robert. + +"I think not," said Tayoga. "I noticed when I was at the fountain that +the rivulet ran back into the cliff about a hundred feet below, and +one can see the water only from the crest. If Areskoui has allowed us +to be besieged here, he at least has created much in our favor." + +He looked toward the east, where the great red sun was shining, and +worshiped silently. It seemed to Robert that his young comrade stared +unwinking for a long time into the eye of the Sun God, though perhaps +it was only a few seconds. But his form expanded and his face was +illumined. Robert knew that the Onondaga's confidence had become +supreme, and he shared in it. + +The hunter and Tayoga kept the watch after a while, and young Lennox +was free to wander about the crest as he wished. He examined carefully +the three sides they had left unguarded, but was convinced that no +warrior, no matter how skillful and tenacious, could climb up there. +Then he wandered back toward the sentinels, and, sitting down under a +tree, began to study the distant slopes across the gorge. + +He saw the warriors gather by-and-by in a deep recess out of rifle +shot, light a fire and begin to cook great quantities of game, as +if they meant to stay there and keep the siege until doomsday, if +necessary. He saw the gigantic figure of Tandakora approach the fire, +eat voraciously for a while and then go away. After him came a white +man in French uniform. He thought at first it was St. Luc and his +heart beat hard, but he was able to discern presently that it was an +officer not much older than himself, in a uniform of white faced with +violet and a black, three-cornered hat. Finally he recognized young De +Galissonniere, whom he had met in Quebec, and whom he had seen a few +days since in the French camp. + +As he looked De Galissonniere left the recess, descended into the +valley and then began to climb their slope, a white handkerchief held +aloft on the point of his small sword. Young Lennox immediately joined +the two watchers at the brink. + +"A flag of truce! Now what can he want!" he exclaimed. + +"We'll soon see," replied Willet. "He's within good hearing now, and +I'll hail him." + +He shouted in powerful tones that echoed in the gorge: + +"Below there! What is it?" + +"I have something to say that will be of great importance to you," +replied De Galissonniere. + +"Then come forward, while we remain here. We don't trust your allies." + +Robert saw the face of the young Frenchman flush, but De +Galissonniere, as if knowing the truth, and resolved not to quibble +over it, climbed steadily. When he was within twenty feet of the +crest the hunter called to him to halt, and he did so, leaning easily +against a strong bush, while the three waited eagerly to hear what he +had to say. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +THE GODS AT PLAY + +De Galissonniere gazed at the three faces, peering at him over the +brink, and then drew himself together jauntily. His position, perched +on the face of the cliff, was picturesque, and he made the most of it. + +"I am glad to see you again Mr. Willet, Mr. Lennox and Tayoga, the +brave Onondaga," he said. "It's been a long time since we met in +Quebec and much water has flowed under that bridge of Avignon, of +which we French sing, but I can't see that any one of you has changed +much." + +"Nor you," said Robert, catching his tone and acting as spokesman +for the three. "The circumstances are unusual, Captain Louis de +Galissonniere, and I'm sorry I can't invite you to come up on our +crest, but it wouldn't be military to let you have a look at our +fortifications." + +"I understand, and I do very well where I am. I wish to say first that +I am sorry to see you in such a plight." + +"And we, Captain, regret to find you allied with such a savage as +Tandakora." + +A quick flush passed over the young Frenchman's face, but he made no +other sign. + +"In war one cannot always choose," he replied. "I have come to receive +your surrender, and I warn you very earnestly that it will be wise for +you to tender it. The Indians have lost one man already and they are +inflamed. If they lose more I might not be able to control them." + +"And if we yield ourselves you pledge us our lives, a transfer in +safety to Canada where we are to remain as prisoners of war, until +such time as we may be exchanged?" + +"All that I promise, and gladly." + +"You're sure, Captain de Galissonniere, that you can carry out the +conditions?" + +"Absolutely sure. You are surrounded here on the peak, and you cannot +get away. All we have to do is to keep the siege." + +"That is true, but while you can wait so can we." + +"But we have plenty of water, and you have none." + +"You would urge us again to surrender on the ground that it would be +the utmost wisdom for us to do so?" + +"It goes without saying, Mr. Lennox." + +"Then, that being the case, we decline." + +De Galissonniere looked up in astonishment at the young face that +gazed down at him. The answer he had expected was quite the reverse. + +"You mean that you refuse?" he exclaimed. + +"It is just what I meant." + +"May I ask why, when you are in such a hopeless position?" + +"Tayoga, Mr. Willet and I wish to see how long we can endure the pangs +of thirst without total collapse. We've had quite a difference on the +subject. Tayoga says ten days, Mr. Willet twelve days, but I think we +can stand it a full two weeks." + +De Galissonniere frowned. + +"You are frivolous, Mr. Lennox," he said, "and this is not a time for +light talk. I don't know what you mean, but it seems to me you don't +appreciate the dire nature of your peril. I liked you and your +comrades when I met you in Quebec and I do not wish to see you perish +at the hands of the savages. That is why I have climbed up here to +make you this offer, which I have wrung from the reluctant Tandakora. +It was he who assured me that the besieged were you. It pains me that +you see fit to reject it." + +"I know it was made out of a good heart," said Robert, seriously, "and +we thank you for the impulse that brought you here. Some day we may be +able to repay it, but we decline because there are always chances. You +know, Captain, that while we have life we always have hope. We may yet +escape." + +"I do not see wherein it is possible," said the young Frenchman, with +actual reluctance in his tone. "But it is for you to decide what you +wish to do. Farewell." + +"Farewell, Captain de Galissonniere," said Robert, with the utmost +sincerity. "I hope no bullet of ours will touch you." + +The captain made a courteous gesture of good-by and slowly descended +the slope, disappearing among the bushes in the gorge, whence came a +fierce and joyous shout. + +"That was the cry of the savages when he told them our answer," said +Willet. "They don't want us to surrender. They think that by-and-by +we'll fall into their hands through exhaustion, and then they can work +their will upon us." + +"They don't know about that fountain, that pure, blessed fountain," +said Robert, "the finest fountain that gushes out anywhere in this +northern wilderness, the fountain that Tayoga's Areskoui has put here +for our especial benefit." + +His heart had become very light and, as usual when his optimism was +at its height, words gushed forth. Water, and their ability to get it +whenever they wanted it, was the key to everything, and he painted +their situation in such bright colors that his two comrades could not +keep from sharing his enthusiasm. + +"Truly, Dagaeoga did not receive the gift of words in vain," said +Tayoga. "Golden speech flows from him, and it lifts up the minds +of those who hear. Manitou finds a use for everybody, even for the +orator." + +"Though it was a hard task, even for Manitou," laughed Robert. + +They watched the whole afternoon without any demonstration from the +enemy--they expected none--and toward evening the Onondaga, who was +gazing into the north, announced a dark shadow on the horizon. + +"What is it?" asked Robert. "A cloud? I hope we won't have another +storm." + +"It is no cloud," replied Tayoga. "It is something else that moves +very fast, and it comes in our direction. A little longer and I can +tell what it is. Now I see; it is a flight of wild pigeons, a great +flock, hundreds of thousands, and millions, going south to escape the +winter." + +"We've seen such flights often." + +"So we have, but this is coming straight toward us, and I have a great +thought, Dagaeoga. Areskoui has not only forgiven us for our unknown +sin--perhaps of omission--but he has also decided to put help in our +way, if we will use it. You see many dwarf trees at the southern edge +of the crest, and I believe that by dark they will be covered with +pigeons, stopping for the night." + +"And some of them will stop for our benefit, though we have bear meat +too! I see, Tayoga." + +Robert watched the flying cloud, which had grown larger and blacker, +and then he saw that Tayoga was right. It was an immense flock of wild +pigeons, and, as the twilight fell, they covered the trees upon their +crest so thickly that the boughs bent beneath them. Young Lennox and +the Onondaga killed as many as they wished with sticks, and soon, fat +and juicy, they were broiling over the coals. + +"Tandakora will guess that the pigeons have fed us," said Robert, "and +he will not like it, but he will yet know nothing about the water." + +They climbed down in turn in the darkness and took a drink, and +Robert, who explored a little, found many vines loaded with wild +grapes, ripe and rich, which made a splendid dessert. Then he took +a number of the smaller but very tough stems, and knotting them +together, with the assistance of Tayoga ran a strong rope from the +crest down to the fountain, thus greatly easing the descent for water +and the return. + +"Now we can take two drinks where we took one before," he said +triumphantly when the task was finished. "If you have your water there +is nothing like making it easy to be reached. Moreover, while it was +safe for an agile fellow like me, you and Dave, Tayoga, being stiff +and clumsy, might have tumbled down the mountain and then I should +have been lonesome." + +Willet, who had been keeping the watch alone, was inclined to the +belief that they might expect an attack in the night, if it should +prove to be very dark. He felt able, however, should such an attempt +come, to detect the advance of the savages, either by sight or +hearing, especially the latter, ear in such cases generally informing +him earlier than eye. But as neither Robert nor Tayoga was busy they +joined him, and all three sat near the brink with their rifles across +their knees, and their pistols loosened in their belts, ready for +their foes should they come in numbers. + +They talked a while in low tones, and then fell silent. The night had +come, starless and moonless, favorable to the designs of Tandakora, +but they felt intense satisfaction, nevertheless. It was partly +physical. Robert's making of an easy road to the water, the coming of +the pigeons, to be eaten, apparently sent by Areskoui, and the ease +with which they believed they could hold their lofty fortress, +combined to produce a victorious state of mind. Robert looked over the +brink once or twice at the steep slope, and he felt that the warriors +would, in truth, be taking a mighty risk, if they came up that steep +path against the three. + +He and Tayoga, in the heavy darkness, depended, like Willet, chiefly +on ear. It was impossible to see to the bottom of the valley, where +the dusk had rolled up like a sea, but, as the night was still, they +felt sure they could hear anyone climbing up the peak. In order to +make themselves more comfortable they spread their blankets at the +very brink, and lay down upon them, thus being able to repose, and at +the same time watch without the risk of inviting a shot. + +Young Lennox knew that the attack, if it came at all, would not come +until late, and restraining his naturally eager and impatient temper, +he used all the patience that his strong will could summon, never +ceasing meanwhile to lend an attentive ear to every sound of the +night. He heard the wind rise, moan a little while in the gorge and +then die; he heard a fitful breeze rustle the boughs on the slopes and +then grow still, and he heard his comrades move once or twice to ease +their positions, but no other sound came to him until nearly midnight, +and then he heard the fall of a pebble on the slope, absolute proof +to one experienced as he that it had been displaced by the incautious +foot of a climbing enemy. + +The rattling of the pebble was succeeded by a long interval of +silence, and the lad understood that too. The warriors, to whom time +was nothing, fearing that suspicion had been aroused by the fall of +the pebble, would wait until it had been lulled before resuming their +advance. They would flatten themselves like lizards against the slope, +not stirring an inch. But the three were as patient as they, and while +a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest +sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a +particle. Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and +they peered cautiously over. + +They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes +about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, +whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his +fire in reserve. Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in +the darkness and pulled trigger. Shouts, the fall of bodies and the +crackling of rifles came back. A half dozen bullets, fired almost at +random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at +a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall +following at once. + +Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and +held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come. But it +did not come. Even the rage of Tandakora had had enough. His second +repulse had been bloodier than the first, and it had been proved with +the lives of his warriors that they could not storm that terrible +steep, in the face of three such redoubtable marksmen. + +Robert heard a number of pebbles rolling now, but they were made by +men descending, and the three, certain of abundant leisure, reloaded +their rifles. Their eyes told them nothing, but they were as sure as +if they had seen them that the warriors had disappeared in the sea of +darkness with which the gulf was filled. The lad breathed a long sigh +of relief. + +"You're justified in your satisfaction," said Willet. "I think it's +the last direct attack they'll make upon us. Now they'll try the slow +methods of siege and our exhaustion by thirst, and how it would make +their venom rise if they knew anything about that glorious fountain +of ours! Since it's to be a test of patience, we'd better make things +easy for ourselves. I'll sit here and watch the slope, and, as the +night is turning cold, you and Tayoga, Robert, can build a fire." + +There was a dip in the center of the crest, and in this they heaped +the fallen wood, which here as elsewhere in the wilderness was +abundant. Wood and water, two great requisites of primitive man, they +had in plenty, and had it not been for their eagerness to go forward +with their work they would have been content to stay indefinitely on +the peak. + +The fire was soon blazing cheerfully. Warriors on the opposing peaks +or crest might see it, but they did not care. No bullets from rival +heights could reach them and the light would appear to their enemies +as a beacon of defiance, a sort of challenge that was very pleasing to +Robert's soul. He basked in the glow and heat of the coals, ate bear +meat and wild pigeon for a late supper, and discoursed on the strength +of their natural fortress. + +"The peak was reared here by Areskoui for our especial benefit," he +said. "It is in every sense a tower of strength, water even being +placed in its side that we might not die of thirst." + +"And yet we cannot stay here always," said the Onondaga. "Tomorrow we +must think of a way of escape." + +"Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tayoga, you're too serious! You're +missing the pleasure of the night." + +"Dagaeoga loves to talk and he talks well. His voice is pleasant in my +ear like to the murmur of a silver brook. Perhaps he is right. Lo! the +clouds have gone, and I can see Tododaho on his star. Areskoui watches +over us by day and Tododaho by night. We are once more the favorites +of the Sun God and of the great Onondaga who went away to his +everlasting star more than four centuries ago. Again I say Dagaeoga is +right; I will enjoy the night, and let the morrow care for itself." + +He drew the folds of his blanket to his chin and stretched his length +before the fire. Having made up his mind to be satisfied, Tayoga would +let nothing interfere with such a laudable purpose. Soon he slept +peacefully. + +"You might follow him," said Willet. + +"I don't think I can do it now," said Robert. "I've a restless +spirit." + +"Then wander about the peak, and I'll take up my old place at the edge +of the slope." + +Robert went back to the far side, where he had stretched his rope of +grape vines down to the spring, and, craving their cool, fresh taste, +he ate more of the grapes. He noticed then that they were uncommonly +plentiful. All along the cliff they trailed in great, rich clusters, +black and glossy, fairly asking to be eaten. In places the vines +hung in perfect mazes, and he looked at them questioningly. Then +the thought came to him and he wondered why it had been so slow of +arrival. He returned to Willet and said: + +"I don't think you need watch any longer here, Dave." + +"Why?" was the hunter's astonished reply. + +"Because we're going to leave the mountain." + +"Leave the mountain! It's more likely, Robert, that your prudence has +left you. If we went down the slope we'd go squarely into the horde, +and then it would be a painful and lingering end for us." + +"I don't mean the slope. We're to go down the other side of the +cliff." + +"Except here and near the bottom the mountain is as steep everywhere +as the side of a house. The only way for us to get down is to fall +down and then we'd stop too quick." + +"We don't have to fall down, we'll climb down." + +"Can't be done, Robert, my boy. There's not enough bushes." + +"We don't need bushes, there are miles of grape vines as strong as +leather. All we have to do is to knot them together securely and our +rope is ready. If we eased our way to the spring with vines then we +can finish the journey to the bottom of the cliff with them." + +The hunter's gaze met that of the lad, and it was full of approval. + +"I believe you've found the way, Robert," said Willet. "Wake Tayoga +and see what he thinks." + +The Onondaga received the proposal with enthusiasm, and he made the +further suggestion that they build high the fire for the sake of +deceiving the besiegers. + +"And suppose we prop up two or three pieces of fallen tree trunk +before it," added Robert. "Warriors watching on the opposite slopes +will take them for our figures and will not dream that we're +attempting to escape." + +That idea, too, was adopted, and in a few minutes the fire was blazing +and roaring, while a stream of sparks drifted up merrily from it to be +lost in the dusk. Near it the fragments of tree trunks set erect would +pass easily, at a great distance and in the dark, for human beings. +Then, while Willet watched, Robert and Tayoga knotted the vines with +quick and dextrous hands, throwing the cable over a bough, and trying +every knot with their double weight. A full two hours they toiled and +then they exulted. + +"It will reach from the clump of bushes about the fountain to the next +clump below, which is low down," said Robert, "and from there we can +descend without help." + +They called Willet, and the three, leaving the crest which had been +such a refuge for them and which they had defended so well, descended +to the fountain. At that point they secured their cable with infinite +care to the largest of the dwarf trees and let it drop over across a +bare space to the next clump of bushes below, a distance that seemed +very great, it was so steep. Robert claimed the honor of the first +descent, but it was finally conceded to Tayoga, who was a trifle +lighter. + +The Onondaga fastened securely upon his back his rifle and his pack +containing food, and then, grasping the cable firmly with both hands, +he began to go down, while his friends watched with great anxiety. He +was not obliged to swing clear his whole weight, but was able to brace +his feet against the cliff. Thus he steadied the vines, but Robert and +Willet nevertheless breathed great sighs of relief, when he reached +the bushes below, and detached himself from the cable. + +"It is safe," he called back. + +Robert went next and Willet followed. When the three were in the +bushes, clinging to their tough and wiry strength, they found that the +difficulties, as they invariably do, had decreased. Below them the +slope was not so steep by any means, and, by holding to the rocky +outcrops and scant bushes, they could make the full descent of the +mountain. While they rested for a little space where they were, Robert +suddenly began to laugh. + +"Is Dagaeoga rejoicing so soon?" asked Tayoga + +"Why shouldn't I laugh," replied Robert, "when we have such a good +jest?" + +"What jest? I see none." + +"Why, to think of Tandakora sitting at the foot of our peak and +watching there three or four days, waiting all the time for us to die +of hunger and thirst, and we far to the south. At least he'll see that +the mountain doesn't get away, and Tandakora, I take it, has small +sense of humor. When he penetrates the full measure of the joke he'll +love us none the less. Perhaps, though, De Galissonniere will not +mourn, because he knows that if we were taken after a siege he could +not save us from the cruelty of the savages." + +The hunter and the Onondaga were forced to laugh a little with him, +and then, rested thoroughly, they resumed the descent, leaving their +cable to tell its own tale, later on. The rest of the slope, although +possible, was slow and painful, testing their strength and skill to +the utmost, but they triumphed over everything and before day were in +a gorge, with the entire height of the peak towering above them and +directly between them and their enemies. Here they flung themselves +on the ground and rested until day, when they began a rapid flight +southward, curving about among the peaks, as the easiest way led them. + +The air rapidly grew warmer, showing that the sudden winter had come +only on the high mountains, and that autumn yet lingered on the lower +levels. The gorgeous reds and yellows and browns and vivid shades +between returned, but there was a haze in the air and the west was +dusky. + +"Storm will come again before night," said Tayoga. + +"I think so too," said Willet, "and as I've no mind to be beaten about +by it, suppose we build a spruce shelter in the gorge here and wait +until it passes." + +The two lads were more than willing, feeling that the chance of +pursuit had passed for a long time at least, and they set to work with +their sharp hatchets, rapidly making a crude but secure wickiup, as +usual against the rocky side of a hill. Before the task was done the +sky darkened much more, and far in the west thunder muttered. + +"It's rolling down a gorge," said Robert, "and hark! you can hear it +also in the south." + +From a point, far distant from the first, came a like rumble, and, +after a few moments of silence, a third rumble was heard to the east. +Silence again and then the far rumble came from the south. + +"That's odd," said Robert. "It isn't often that you hear thunder on +all sides of you." + +"Listen!" exclaimed Tayoga, whose face bore a rapt and extraordinary +look. The four rumbles again went around the horizon, coming from one +point after the other in turn. + +"It is no ordinary thunder," said the Onondaga in a tone of deep +conviction. + +"What is it, then?" asked Robert. + +"It is Manitou, Areskoui, Tododaho and Hayowentha talking together. +That is why we have the thunder north, east, south and west. Hear +their voices carrying all through the heavens!" + +"Which is Manitou?" + +"That I cannot tell. But the great gods talk, one with another, though +what they say is not for us to know. It is not right that mere mortals +like ourselves should understand them, when they speak across infinite +space." + +"It may be that you're right, Tayoga," said Willet. + +The three did not yet go into the spruce shelter, because, contrary to +the signs, there was no rain. The wind moaned heavily and thick black +clouds swept up in an almost continuous procession from the western +horizon, but they did not let a drop fall. The thunder at the four +points of the horizon went on, the reports moving from north to east, +and thence to south and west, and then around and around, always in +the same direction. After every crash there was a long rumble in the +gorges until the next crash came again. Now and then lightning flared. + +"It is not a storm after all," said the Onondaga, "or, at least, if a +storm should come it will not be until after night is at hand, when +the great gods are through talking. Listen to the heavy booming, +always like the sound of a thousand big guns at one time. Now the +lightning grows and burns until it is at a white heat. The great gods +not only talk, but they are at play. They hurl thunderbolts through +infinite space, and watch them fall. Then they send thunder rumbling +through our mountains, and the sound is as soft to them as a whisper +to us." + +"Your idea is pretty sound, Tayoga," said Willet, who had imbibed more +than a little of the Iroquois philosophy, "and it does look as if the +gods were at play because there is so much thunder and lightning and +no rain. Look at that flash on the mountain toward the east! I think +it struck. Yes, there goes a tree! When the gods play among the peaks +it's just as well for us to stay down here in the gorge." + +"But the crashes still run regularly from north to east and on +around," said Robert. "I suppose that when they finish talking, the +rain will come, and we'll have plenty of need for our spruce shelter." + +The deep rumbling continued all through the rest of the afternoon. +A dusk as of twilight arrived long before sunset, but it was of an +unusually dull, grayish hue, and it affected Robert as if he were +breathing an air surcharged with gunpowder. It colored and intensified +everything. The peaks and ridges rose to greater heights, the gorges +and valleys were deeper, the reports of the thunder, extremely heavy, +in fact, were doubled and tripled in fancy; all that Tayoga had said +about the play of the gods was true. Tododaho, the great Onondaga, +spoke across the void to Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, and Areskoui, +the Sun God, conversed with Manitou, the All Powerful, Himself. + +The imaginative lad felt awe but no fear. The gods at play in the +heavens would not condescend to harm a humble mortal like himself and +it was an actual pleasure because he was there to hear them. Just +before the invisible sun went over the rim of the horizon, a brilliant +red light shot for a minute or two from the west through the gray +haze, and fell on the faces of the three, sitting in silence before +their spruce shelter. + +"It is Areskoui throwing off his most brilliant beams before he goes," +said Tayoga. "Now I think the play will soon be over, and we may look +for the rain." + +The crashes of thunder increased swiftly and greatly in violence, and +then, as the Onondaga had predicted, ceased abruptly. The silence that +followed was so heavy that it was oppressive. No current of air was +moving anywhere. Not a leaf stirred. The grayish haze became thicker +and every ridge and peak was hidden. Presently a sound like a sigh +came down the gorge, but it soon grew. + +"We'll go inside," said Tayoga, "because the deluge is at hand." + +They crowded themselves into their crude little hut, and in five +minutes the flood was upon them, pouring with such violence that some +of it forced its way through the hasty thatch, but they were able +to protect themselves with their blankets, and they slept the night +through in a fair degree of comfort. + +In the morning they saw a world washed clean, bright and shining, and +they breathed an autumnal air wonderful in its purity. Feeling safe +now from pursuit, they were no longer eager to flee. A brief council +of three decided that they would hang once more on the French and +Indian flank. It had been their purpose to discover what was intended +by the formidable array they had seen, and it was their purpose yet. + +They did not go back on their path, but they turned eastward into a +land of little and beautiful lakes, through which one of the great +Indian trails from the northwest passed, and made a hidden camp +near the shore of a sheet of water about a mile square, set in the +mountains like a gem. They had method in locating here, as the trail +ran through a gorge less than half a mile to the east of their camp, +and they had an idea that the spy, Garay, might pass that way, two of +them always abiding by the trail, while the third remained in their +secluded camp or hunted game. Willet shot a deer and Tayoga brought +down a rare wild turkey, while Robert caught some wonderful lake +trout. So they had plenty of food, and they were content to wait. + +They were sure that Garay had not yet gone, as the storms that had +threatened them would certainly have delayed his departure, and +neither the hunter nor the Onondaga could discover any traces of +footsteps. Fortunately the air continued to turn warmer and the lower +country in which they now were had all the aspects of Indian summer. +Robert, shaken a little perhaps by the great hardships and dangers +through which he had passed, though he may not have realized at the +time the weight upon his nerves, recovered quickly, and, as usual, +passed, with the rebound, to the heights of optimism. + +"What do you expect to get from Garay?" he asked Willet as he changed +places with him on the trail. + +"I'm not sure," replied the hunter, "but if we catch him we'll find +something. We've got to take our bird first, and then we'll see. He +went north and west with a message, and that being the case he's bound +to take one back. I don't think Garay is a first-class woodsman and we +may be able to seize him." + +Robert was pleased with the idea of the hunted turning into the +hunters, and he and Tayoga now did most of the watching along the +trail, a watch that was not relaxed either by day or by night. On +the sixth night the two youths were together, and Tayoga thought he +discerned a faint light to the north. + +"It may be a low star shining over a hill," said Robert. + +"I think it is the glow from a small camp fire," said the Onondaga. + +"It's a question that's decided easily." + +"You mean we'll stalk it, star or fire, whichever it may be?" + +"That is what we're here for, Tayoga." + +They began an exceedingly cautious advance toward the light, and it +soon became evident that it was a fire, though, as Tayoga had said, a +small one, set in a little valley and almost hidden by the surrounding +foliage. Now they redoubled their caution, using every forest art to +make a silent approach, as they might find a band of warriors around +the blaze, and they did not wish to walk with open eyes into any +such deadly trap. Their delight was great when they saw only one man +crouched over the coals in a sitting posture, his head bent over his +knees; so that, in effect, only his back was visible, but they knew +him at once. It was Garay. + +The heart of young Lennox flamed with anger and triumph. Here was the +fellow who had tried to take his life in Albany, and, if he wished +revenge, the moment was full of opportunity. Yet he could never fire +at a man's back, and it was their cue, moreover, to take him alive. +Garay's rifle was leaning against a log, six or eight feet from him, +and his attitude indicated that he might be asleep. His clothing was +stained and torn, and he bore all the signs of a long journey and +extreme weariness. + +"See what it is to come into the forest and not be master of all its +secrets," whispered Tayoga. "Garay is the messenger of Onontio (the +Governor General of Canada) and Tandakora, and yet he sleeps, when +those who oppose him are abroad." + +"A man has to sleep some time or other," said Robert, "or at least a +white man must. We're not all like an Iroquois; we can't stay awake +forever if need be." + +"If one goes to the land of Tarenyawagon when his enemies are at hand +he must pay the price, Dagaeoga, and now the price that Garay is going +to pay will be a high one. Surely Manitou has delivered him, helpless, +into our hands. Come, we will go closer." + +They crept through the bushes until they could have reached out and +touched the spy with the muzzles of their rifles, and still he did not +stir. Into that heavy and weary brain, plunged into dulled slumbers, +entered no thought of a stalking foe. The fire sank and the bent +back sagged a little lower. Garay had traveled hard and long. He was +anxious to get back to Albany with what he knew, and he felt sure that +the northern forests contained only friends. He had built his fire +without apprehension, and sleep had overtaken him quickly. + +A fox stirred in the thicket beyond the fire and looked suspiciously +at the coals and the still figure beyond them. He did not see the +other two figures in the bushes but his animosity as well as his +suspicion was aroused. He edged a little nearer, and then a slight +sound in the thicket caused him to creep back. But he was an inquiring +fox, and, although he buried himself under a bush, he still looked, +staring with sharp, intent eyes. + +He saw a shadow glide from the thicket, pick up the rifle of Garay +which leaned against the fallen log, and then glide back, soundless. +The curiosity of the fox now prevailed over his suspicion. The shadow +had not menaced him, and his vulpine intelligence told him that he was +not concerned in the drama now about to unfold itself. He was merely a +spectator, and, as he looked, he saw the shadow glide back and crouch +beside the sleeping man. Then a second shadow came and crouched on the +other side. + +What the fox saw was the approach of Robert and Tayoga, whom some +whimsical humor had seized. They intended to make the surprise +complete and Robert, with a memory of the treacherous shot in Albany, +was willing also to fill the soul of the spy with terror. Tayoga +adroitly removed the pistol and knife from the belt of Garay, and +Robert touched him lightly on the shoulder. Still he did not stir, and +then the youth brought his hand down heavily. + +Garay uttered the sigh of one who comes reluctantly from the land of +sleep and who would have gone back through the portals which were only +half opened, but Robert brought his hand down again, good and hard. +Then his eyes flew open and he saw the calm face beside him, and the +calm eyes less than a foot away, staring straight into his own. +It must be an evil dream, he thought at first, but it had all the +semblance of reality, and, when he turned his head in fear, he saw +another face on the other side of him, carved in red bronze, it too +only a foot away and staring at him in stern accusation. + +Then all the faculties of Garay, spy and attempted assassin, leaped +into life, and he uttered a yell of terror, springing to his feet, as +if he had been propelled by a galvanic battery. Strong hands, seizing +him on either side, pulled him down again and the voice of Tayoga, of +the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of +the Hodenosaunee said insinuatingly in his ear: + +"Sit down, Achille Garay! Here are two who wish to talk with you!" + +He fell back heavily and his soul froze within him, as he recognized +the faces. His figure sagged, his eyes puffed out, and he waited in +silent terror. + +"I see that you recognize us, Achille Garay," said Robert, whose +whimsical humor was still upon him. "You'll recall that shot in +Albany. Perhaps you did not expect to meet my friend and me here in +the heart of the northern forests, but here we are. What have you to +say for yourself?" + +Garay strove to speak, but the half formed words died on his lips. + +"We wish explanations about that little affair in Albany," continued +his merciless interlocutor, "and perhaps there is no better time than +the present. Again I repeat, what have you to say? And you have also +been in the French and Indian camp. You bore a message to St. Luc and +Tandakora and beyond a doubt you bear another back to somebody. We +want to know about that too. Oh, we want to know about many things!" + +"I have no message," stammered Garay. + +"Your word is not good. We shall find methods of making you talk. You +have been among the Indians and you ought to know something about +these methods. But first I must lecture you on your lack of woodcraft. +It is exceedingly unwise to build a fire in the wilderness and go +to sleep beside it, unless there is someone with you to watch. I'm +ashamed of you, Monsieur Garay, to have neglected such an elementary +lesson. It made your capture easy, so ridiculously easy that it +lacked piquancy and interest. Tayoga and I were not able to give our +faculties and strength the healthy exercise they need. Come now, are +you ready to walk?" + +"What are you going to do with me?" asked Garay in French, which both +of his captors understood and spoke. + +"We haven't decided upon that," replied Robert maliciously, "but +whatever it is we'll make it varied and lively. It may please you +to know that we've been waiting several days for you, but we scarce +thought you'd go to sleep squarely in the trail, just where we'd be +sure to see you. Stand up now and march like a man, ready to meet any +fate. Fortune has turned against you, but you still have the chance to +show your Spartan courage and endurance." + +"The warrior taken by his enemies meets torture and death with a +heroic soul," said Tayoga solemnly. + +Garay shivered. + +"You'll save me from torture?" he said to Robert. + +Young Lennox shook his head. + +"I'd do so if it were left to me," he said, "but my friend, Tayoga, +has a hard heart. In such matters as these he will not let me have my +way. He insists upon the ancient practices of his nation. Also, David +Willet, the hunter, is waiting for us, and he too is strong for +extreme measures. You'll soon face him. Now, march straight to the +right!" + +Garay with a groan raised himself to his feet and walked unsteadily in +the direction indicated. Close behind him came the avenging two. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +TAMING A SPY + +Young Lennox undeniably felt exultation. It fairly permeated his +system. The taking of Garay had been so easy that it seemed as if the +greater powers had put him squarely in their path, and had deprived +him of all vigilance, in order that he might fall like a ripe plum +into their hands. Surely the face of Areskoui was still turned +toward them, and the gods, having had their play, were benevolent of +mood--that is, so far as Robert and Tayoga were concerned, although +the spy might take a different view of the matter. The triumph, and +the whimsical humor that yet possessed him, moved him to flowery +speech. + +"Monsieur Garay, Achille, my friend," he said. "You are surprised that +we know you so well, but remember that you left a visiting card with +us in Albany, the time you sent an evil bullet past my head, and then +proved too swift for Tayoga. That's a little matter we must look into +some time soon. I don't understand why you wished me to leave the +world prematurely. It must surely have been in the interest of someone +else, because I had never heard of you before in my life. But we'll +pass over the incident now as something of greater importance is to +the fore. It was really kind of you, Achille, to sit down there in the +middle of the trail, beside a fire that was sure to serve as a beacon, +and wait for us to come. It reflects little credit, however, on your +skill as a woodsman, and, from sheer kindness of heart, we're not +going to let you stay out in the forest after dark." + +Garay turned a frightened look upon him. It was mention of the +bullet in Albany that struck renewed terror to his soul. But Robert, +ordinarily gentle and sympathetic, was not inclined to spare him. + +"As I told you," he continued, "Tayoga and I are disposed to be easy +with you, but Willet has a heart as cold as a stone. We saw you going +to the French and Indian camp, and we laid an ambush for you on your +way back. We were expecting to take you, and Willet has talked of you +in merciless fashion. What he intends to do with you is more than I've +been able to determine. Ah, he comes now!" + +The parting bushes disclosed a tall figure, rifle ready, and Robert +called cheerily: + +"Here we are, Dave, back again, and we bring with us a welcome guest. +Monsieur Achille Garay was lost in the forest, and, taking pity on +him, we've brought him in to share our hospitality. Mr. David Willet, +Monsieur Achille Garay of everywhere." + +Willet smiled grimly and led the way back to the spruce shelter. To +Garay's frightened eyes he bore out fully Robert's description. + +"You lads seem to have taken him without trouble," he said. "You've +done well. Sit down, Garay, on that log; we've business with you." + +Garay obeyed. + +"Now," said the hunter, "what message did you take to St. Luc and the +French and Indian force?" + +The man was silent. Evidently he was gathering together the shreds of +his courage, as his back stiffened. Willet observed him shrewdly. + +"You don't choose to answer," he said. "Well, we'll find a way to make +you later on. But the message you carried was not so important as the +message you're taking back. It's about you, somewhere. Hand over the +dispatch." + +"I've no dispatch," said Garay sullenly. + +"Oh, yes, you have! A man like you wouldn't be making such a long and +dangerous journey into the high mountains and back again for nothing. +Come, Garay, your letter!" + +The spy was silent. + +"Search him, lads!" said Willet. + +Garay recoiled, but when the hunter threatened him with his pistol +he submitted to the dextrous hands of Robert and Tayoga. They went +through all his pockets, and then they made him remove his clothing +piece by piece, while they thrust the points of their knives through +the lining for concealed documents. But the steel touched nothing. +Then they searched his heavy moccasins, and even pulled the soles +loose, but no papers were disclosed. There was nowhere else to look +and the capture had brought no reward. + +"He doesn't seem to have anything," said Robert. + +"He must have! He is bound to have!" said the hunter. + +"You have had your look," said Garay, a note of triumph showing in +his voice, "and you have failed. I bear no message because I am no +messenger. I am a Frenchman, it is true, but I have no part in this +war. I am not a soldier or a scout. You should let me go." + +"But that bullet in Albany." + +"I did not fire it. It was someone else. You have made a mistake." + +"We've made no mistake," said the hunter. "We know what you are. We +know, too, that a dispatch of great importance is about you somewhere. +It is foolish to think otherwise, and we mean to have it." + +"I carry no dispatch," repeated Garay in his sullen, obstinate tones. + +"We mean that you shall give it to us," said the hunter, "and soon you +will be glad to do so." + +Robert glanced at him, but Willet did not reveal his meaning. It was +impossible to tell what course he meant to take, and the two lads were +willing to let the event disclose itself. The same sardonic humor that +had taken possession of Robert seemed to lay hold of the older man +also. + +"Since you're to be our guest for a while, Monsieur Garay," he said, +"we'll give you our finest room. You'll sleep in the spruce shelter, +while we spread our blankets outside. But lest you do harm to +yourself, lest you take into your head some foolish notion to commit +suicide, we'll have to bind you. Tayoga can do it in such a manner +that the thongs will cause you no pain. You'll really admire his +wonderful skill." + +The Onondaga bound Garay securely with strips, cut from the prisoner's +own clothing, and they left him lying within the spruce shelter. At +dawn the next day Willet awoke the captive, who had fallen into a +troubled slumber. + +"Your letter," he said. "We want it." + +"I have no letter," replied Garay stubbornly. + +"We shall ask you for it once every two hours, and the time will come +when you'll be glad to give it to us." + +Then he turned to the lads and said they would have the finest +breakfast in months to celebrate the good progress of their work. + +Robert built up a splendid fire, and, taking their time about it, they +broiled bear meat, strips of the deer they had killed and portions of +wild pigeon and the rare wild turkey. Varied odors, all appetizing, +and the keen, autumnal air gave them an appetite equal to anything. +Yet Willet lingered long, seeing that everything was exactly right +before he gave the word to partake, and then they remained yet +another good while over the feast, getting the utmost relish out of +everything. When they finally rose from their seats on the logs, two +hours had passed since Willet had awakened Garay and he went back to +him. + +"Your letter?" he said. + +"I have no letter," replied Garay, "but I'm very hungry. Let me have +my breakfast." + +"Your letter?" + +"I've told you again and again that I've no letter." + +"It's now about 8:30 o'clock; at half past ten I'll ask you for it +again." + +He went back to the two lads and helped them to put out the fire. +Garay set up a cry for food, and then began to threaten them with the +vengeance of the Indians, but they paid no attention to him. At half +past ten as indicated by the sun, Willet returned to him. + +"The letter?" he said. + +"How many times am I to tell you that I have no letter?" + +"Very well. At half past twelve I shall ask for it again." + +At half past twelve Garay returned the same answer, and then the +three ate their noonday meal, which, like the breakfast, was rich and +luscious. Once more the savory odors of bear, deer, wild turkey and +wild pigeon filled the forest, and Garay, lying in the doorway of the +hut, where he could see, and where the splendid aroma reached his +nostrils, writhed in his bonds, but still held fast to his resolution. + +Robert said nothing, but the sardonic humor of both the Onondaga and +the hunter was well to the fore. Holding a juicy bear steak in +his hand, Tayoga walked over to the helpless spy and examined him +critically. + +"Too fat," he said judicially, "much too fat for those who would roam +the forest. Woodsmen, scouts and runners should be lean. It burdens +them to carry weight. And you, Achille Garay, will be much better off, +if you drop twenty pounds." + +"Twenty pounds, Tayoga!" exclaimed Willet, who had joined him, a whole +roasted pigeon in his hands. "How can you make such an underestimate! +Our rotund Monsieur would be far more graceful and far more healthy +if he dropped forty pounds! And it behooves us, his trainers and +physicians, to see that he drops 'em. Then he will go back to Albany +and to his good friend, Mynheer Hendrik Martinus, a far handsomer man +than he was when he left. It may be that he'll be so much improved +that Mynheer Hendrik will not know him. Truly, Tayoga, this wild +pigeon has a most savory taste! When wild pigeon is well cooked and +the air of the forest has sharpened your appetite to a knife edge +nothing is finer." + +"But it is no better than the tender steak of young bear," said +Tayoga, with all the inflections of a gourmand. "The people of my +nation and of all the Indian nations have always loved bear. It is +tenderer even than venison and it contains more juices. For the hungry +man nothing is superior to the taste or for the building up of sinews +and muscles than the steak of fat young bear." + +Garay writhed again in his bonds, and closed his eyes that he might +shut away the vision of the two. Robert was forced to smile. At half +past two, as he judged it to be by the sun, Willet said to Garay once +more: + +"The papers, Monsieur Achille." + +But Garay, sullen and obstinate, refused to reply. The hunter did not +repeat the question then, but went back to the fire, whistling gayly a +light tune. The three were spending the day in homely toil, polishing +their weapons, cleaning their clothing, and making the numerous little +repairs, necessary after a prolonged and arduous campaign. They were +very cheerful about it, too. Why shouldn't they be? Both Tayoga and +the hunter had scouted in wide circles about the camp, and had seen +that there was no danger. For a vast distance they and their prisoner +were alone in the forest. So, they luxuriated and with abundance of +appetizing food made up for their long period of short commons. + +At half past four Willet repeated his question, but the lips of the +spy remained tightly closed. + +"Remember that I'm not urging you," said the hunter, politely. "I'm a +believer in personal independence and I like people to do what they +want to do, as long as it doesn't interfere with anybody else. So I +tell you to think it over. We've plenty of time. We can stay here a +week, two weeks, if need be. We'd rather you felt sure you were right +before you made up your mind. Then you wouldn't be remorseful about +any mistake." + +"A wise man meditates long before he speaks," said Tayoga, "and it +follows then that our Achille Garay is very wise. He knows, too, that +his figure is improving already. He has lost at least five pounds." + +"Nearer eight I sum it up, Tayoga," said Willet. "The improvement is +very marked." + +"I think you are right, Great Bear. Eight it is and you also speak +truly about the improvement. If our Monsieur Garay were able to stand +up and walk he would be much more graceful than he was, when he so +kindly marched into our guiding hands." + +"Don't pay him too many compliments, Tayoga. They'll prove trying to +a modest man. Come away, now. Monsieur Garay wishes to spend the next +two hours with his own wise thoughts and who are we to break in upon +such a communion?" + +"The words of wisdom fall like precious beads from your lips, Great +Bear. For two hours we will leave our guest to his great thoughts." + +At half past six came the question, "Your papers?" once more, and +Garay burst forth with an angry refusal, though his voice trembled. +Willet shrugged his shoulders, turned away, and helped the lads +prepare a most luxurious and abundant evening meal, Tayoga adding wild +grapes and Robert nuts to their varied course of meats, the grapes +being served on blazing red autumn leaves, the whole very pleasing to +the eye as well as to the taste. + +"I think," said Willet, in tones heard easily by Garay, "that I have +in me just a trace of the epicure. I find, despite my years in the +wilderness, that I enjoy a well spread board, and that bits of +decoration appeal to me; in truth, give an added savor to the viands." + +"In the vale of Onondaga when the fifty old and wise sachems make a +banquet," said Tayoga, "the maidens bring fruit and wild flowers to +it that the eye also may have its feast. It is not a weakness, but an +excellence in Great Bear to like the decorations." + +They lingered long over the board, protracting the feast far after the +fall of night and interspersing it with pleasant conversation. The +ruddy flames shone on their contented faces, and their light laughter +came frequently to the ears of Garay. At half past eight the question, +grown deadly by repetition, was asked, and, when only a curse came, +Willet said: + +"As it is night I'll ask you, Achille Garay, for your papers only +once every four hours. That is the interval at which we'll change our +guard, and we don't wish, either, to disturb you many times in your +pleasant slumbers. It would not be right to call a man back too often +from the land of Tarenyawagon, who, you may know, is the Iroquois +sender of dreams." + +Garay, whom they had now laid tenderly upon the floor of the hut, +turned his face away, and Willet went back to the fire, humming in a +pleased fashion to himself. At half past twelve he awoke Garay from +his uneasy sleep and propounded to him his dreadful query, grown +terrifying by its continual iteration. At half past four Tayoga asked +it, and it was not necessary then to awake Garay. He had not slept +since half past twelve. He snarled at the Iroquois, and then sank back +on the blanket that they had kindly placed for him. Tayoga, his bronze +face expressing nothing, went back to his watch by the fire. + +Breakfast was cooked by Robert and Willet, and again it was luscious +and varied. Robert had risen early and he caught several of the fine +lake trout that he broiled delicately over the coals. He had +also gathered grapes fresh with the morning dew, and wonderfully +appetizing, and some of the best of the nuts were left over. Bear, +deer, venison and turkey they still had in abundance. + +The morning itself was the finest they had encountered so far. Much +snow had fallen in the high mountains, but winter had not touched the +earth here. The deep colors of the leaves, moved by the light wind, +shifted and changed like a prism. The glorious haze of Indian summer +hung over everything like a veil of finest gauze. The air was +surcharged with vitality and life. It was pleasant merely to sit and +breathe at such a time. + +"I've always claimed," said Robert, as he passed a beautifully broiled +trout to Tayoga and another to the hunter, "that I can cook fish +better than either of you. Dave, I freely admit, can surpass me in the +matter of venison and Tayoga is a finer hand with bear than I am, but +I'm a specialist with fish, be it salmon, or trout, or salmon trout, +or perch or pickerel or what not." + +"Your boast is justified, in very truth, Robert," said Willet. "I've +known none other who can prepare a fish with as much tenderness and +perfection as you. I suppose 'tis born in you, but you have a way of +preserving the juices and savors which defies description and which is +beyond praise. 'Tis worth going hungry a long while to put one's tooth +into so delicate a morsel as this salmon trout, and 'tis a great pity, +too, that our guest, Monsieur Achille Garay, will not join us, when +we've an abundance so great and a variety so rich." + +The wretched spy and intermediary could hear every word they said, and +Robert fell silent, but the hunter and the Onondaga talked freely and +with abounding zest. + +"'Tis a painful thing," said Willet, "to offer hospitality and to +have it refused. Monsieur Garay knows that he would be welcome at our +board, and yet he will not come. I fear, Robert, that you have cooked +too many of these superlative fish, and that they must even go to +waste, which is a sin. They would make an admirable beginning for our +guest's breakfast, if he would but consent to join us." + +"It is told by the wise old sachems of the great League," said Tayoga, +"that warriors have gone many days without food, when plenty of it +was ready for their taking, merely to test their strength of body and +will. Their sufferings were acute and terrible. Their flesh wasted +away, their muscles became limp and weak, their sight failed, pain +stabbed them with a thousand needles, but they would not yield and +touch sustenance before the time appointed." + +"I've heard of many such cases, Tayoga, and I've seen some, but it was +always warriors who were doing the fasting. I doubt whether white men +could stand it so long, and 'tis quite sure they would suffer more. +About the third day 'twould be as bad as being tied to the stake in the +middle of the flames." + +"Great Bear speaks the truth, as he always does. No white man can +stand it. If he tried it his sufferings would be beyond anything of +which he might dream." + +A groan burst suddenly from the wretched Garay. The hunter and the +Onondaga looked at each other and their eyes expressed astonishment. + +"Did you hear a sound in the thicket?" asked Willet. + +"I think it came from the boughs overhead," said Tayoga. + +"I could have sworn 'twas the growl of a bear." + +"To me it sounded like the croak of a crow." + +"After all, we may have heard nothing. Imagination plays strange +tricks with us." + +"It is true, Great Bear. We hear queer sounds when there are no sounds +at all. The air is full of spirits, and now and then they have sport +with us." + +A second groan burst from Garay, now more wretched than ever. + +"I heard it again!" exclaimed the hunter. "'Tis surely the growl of +a bear in the bush! The sound was like that of an angry wild animal! +But, we'll let it go. The sun tells meet's half past eight o'clock and +I go to ask our guest the usual question." + +"Enough!" exclaimed Garay. "I yield! I cannot bear this any longer!" + +"Your papers, please!" + +"Unbind me and give me food!" + +"Your papers first, our fish next." + +As he spoke the hunter leaned over, and with his keen hunting knife +severed Garay's bonds. The man sat up, rubbed his wrists and ankles +and breathed deeply. + +"Your papers!" repeated Willet. + +"Bring me my pistol, the one that the Indian filched from me while I +slept," said Garay. + +"Your pistol!" exclaimed the hunter, in surprise. "Now I'd certainly +be foolish to hand you a deadly and loaded weapon!" + +But Robert's quick intellect comprehended at once. He snatched the +heavy pistol from the Onondaga's belt, drew forth the bullet and then +drew the charge behind it, not powder at all, but a small, tightly +folded paper of tough tissue, which he held aloft triumphantly. + +"Very clever! very clever!" said Willet in admiration. "The pistol was +loaded, but 'twould never be fired, and nobody would have thought of +searching its barrel. Tayoga, give Monsieur Garay the two spare fish +and anything else he wants, but see that he eats sparingly because a +gorge will go ill with a famished man, and then we'll have a look at +his precious document." + +The Onondaga treated Garay as the honored guest they had been calling +him, giving him the whole variety of their breakfast, but, at guarded +intervals, which allowed him to relish to the full all the savors and +juices that had been taunting him so long. Willet opened the letter, +smoothed it out carefully on his knee, and holding it up to the light +until the words stood out clearly, read: + +"To Hendrik Martinus At Albany. + +"The intermediary of whom you know, the bearer of this letter, has +brought me word from you that the English Colonial troops, after the +unfortunate battle at Lake George, have not pushed their victory. He +also informs us that the governors of the English colonies do not +agree, and that there is much ill feeling among the different Colonial +forces. He says that Johnson still suffering from his wound, does not +move, and that the spirit has gone out of our enemies. All of which is +welcome news to us at this juncture, since it has given to us the time +that we need. + +"Our defeat but incites us to greater efforts. The Indian tribes who +have cast their lot with us are loyal to our arms. All the forces of +France and New France are being assembled to crush our foes. We have +lost Dieskau, but a great soldier, Louis Joseph de Saint Veran, the +Marquis de Montcalm-Gozon, is coming from France to lead our armies. +He will be assisted by the incomparable chieftains, the Chevalier de +Levis, the Chevalier Bourlamaque and others who understand the warfare +of the wilderness. Even now we are preparing to move with a great +power on Albany and we may surprise the town. + +"Tell those of whom you know in Albany and New York to be ready with +rifles and ammunition and other presents for the Indian warriors. Much +depends upon their skill and promptness in delivering these valuable +goods to the tribes. It seals them to our standard. They can be landed +at the places of which we know, and then be carried swiftly across the +wilderness. But I bid you once more to exercise exceeding caution. Let +no name of those associated with us ever be entrusted to writing, as a +single slip might bring our whole fabric crashing to the ground, and +send to death those who serve us. After you have perused this letter +destroy it. Do not tear it in pieces and throw them away but burn it +to the last and least little fragment. In conclusion I say yet again, +caution, caution, caution. + +Raymond Louis de St. Luc." + +The three looked at one another. Garay was in the third course of his +breakfast, and no longer took notice of anything else. + +"Those associated with us in Albany and New York," quoted Willet. "Now +I wonder who they are. I might make a shrewd guess at one, but no +names are given and as we have no proof we must keep silent about him +for the present. Yet this paper is of vast importance and it must be +put in hands that know how to value it." + +"Then the hands must be those of Colonel William Johnson," said +Robert. + +"I fancy you're right, lad. Yet 'tis hard just now to decide upon the +wisest policy." + +"The colonel is the real leader of our forces," persisted the lad. +"It's to him that we must go." + +"It looks so, Robert, but for a few days we've got to consider +ourselves. Now that we have his letter I wish we didn't have Garay." + +"You wouldn't really have starved him, would you, Dave? Somehow it +seemed pretty hard." + +The hunter laughed heartily. + +"Bless your heart, lad," he replied. "Don't you be troubled about the +way we dealt with Garay. I knew all the while that he would never get +to the starving point, or I wouldn't have tried it with him. I knew by +looking at him that his isn't the fiber of which martyrs are made. I +calculated that he would give up last night or this morning." + +"Are we going to take him back with us a prisoner?" + +"That's the trouble. As a spy, which he undoubtedly is, his life is +forfeit, but we are not executioners. For scouts and messengers such +as we are he'd be a tremendous burden to take along with us. Moreover, +I think that after his long fast he'd eat all the game we could kill, +and we don't propose to spend our whole time feeding one of our +enemies." + +"Call Tayoga," said Robert. + +The Onondaga came and then young Lennox said to his two comrades: + +"Are you willing to trust me in the matter of Garay, our prisoner?" + +"Yes," they replied together. + +Robert went to the man, who was still immersed in his gross feeding, +and tapped him on the shoulder. + +"Listen, Garay," he said. "You're the bearer of secret and treacherous +dispatches, and you're a spy. You must know that under all the rules +of war your life is forfeit to your captors." + +Garay's face became gray and ghastly. + +"You--you wouldn't murder me?" he said. + +"There could be no such thing as murder in your case, and we won't +take your life, either." + +The face of the intermediary recovered its lost color. + +"You will spare me, then?" he exclaimed joyfully. + +"In a way, yes, but we're not going to carry you back in luxury to +Albany, nor are we thinking of making you an honored member of our +band. You've quite a time before you." + +"I don't understand you." + +"You will soon. You're going back to the Chevalier de St. Luc who has +little patience with failure, and you'll find that the road to him +abounds in hard traveling. It may be, too, that the savage Tandakora +will ask you some difficult questions, but if so, Monsieur Achille +Garay, it will be your task to answer them, and I take it that you +have a fertile mind. In any event, you will be equipped to meet him by +your journey, which will be full of variety and effort and which will +strengthen and harden your mind." + +The face of Garay paled again, and he gazed at Robert in a sort of +dazed fashion. The imagination of young Lennox was alive and leaping. +He had found what seemed to him a happy solution of a knotty problem, +and, as usual in such cases, his speech became fluent and golden. + +"Oh, you'll enjoy it, Monsieur Achille Garay," he said in his mellow, +persuasive voice. "The forest is beautiful at this time of the year +and the mountains are so magnificent always that they must appeal to +anyone who has in his soul the strain of poetry that I know you have. +The snow, too, I think has gone from the higher peaks and ridges and +you will not be troubled by extreme cold. If you should wander from +the path back to St. Luc you will have abundant leisure in which to +find it again, because for quite a while to come time will be of no +importance to you. And as you'll go unarmed, you'll be in no danger of +shooting your friends by mistake." + +"You're not going to turn me into the wilderness to starve?" + +"Not at all. We'll give you plenty of food. Tayoga and I will see you +well on your way. Now, since you've eaten enough, you start at once." + +Tayoga and the hunter fell in readily with Robert's plan. The captive +received enough food to last four days, which he carried in a pack +fastened on his back, and then Robert and Tayoga accompanied him +northward and back on the trail. + +Much of Garay's courage returned as they marched steadily on through +the forest. When he summed it up he found that he had fared well. His +captors had really been soft-hearted. It was not usual for one serving +as an intermediary and spy like himself to escape, when taken, with +his life and even with freedom. Life! How precious it was! Young +Lennox had said that the forest was beautiful, and it was! It was +splendid, grand, glorious to one who had just come out of the jaws of +death, and the air of late autumn was instinct with vitality. He drew +himself up jauntily, and his step became strong and springy. + +They walked on many miles and Robert, whose speech had been so fluent +before, was silent now. Nor did the Onondaga speak either. Garay +himself hazarded a few words, but meeting with no response his spirits +fell a little. The trail led over a low ridge, and at its crest his +two guards stopped. + +"Here we bid you farewell, Monsieur Achille Garay," said Robert. +"Doubtless you will wish to commune with your own thoughts and our +presence will no longer disturb you. Our parting advice to you is to +give up the trade in which you have been engaged. It is full perilous, +and it may be cut short at any time by sudden death. Moreover, it is +somewhat bare of honor, and even if it should be crowned by continued +success 'tis success of a kind that's of little value. Farewell." + +"Farewell," said Garay, and almost before he could realize it, the two +figures had melted into the forest behind him. A weight was lifted +from him with their going, and once more his spirits bounded upward. +He was Achille Garay, bold and venturesome, and although he was +without weapons he did not fear two lads. + +Three miles farther on he turned. He did not care to face St. Luc, his +letter lost, and the curious, dogged obstinacy that lay at the back of +his character prevailed. He would go back. He would reach those for +whom his letter had been intended, Martinus and the others, and he +would win the rich rewards that had been promised to him. He had +plenty of food, he would make a wide curve, advance at high speed and +get to Albany ahead of the foolish three. + +He turned his face southward and walked swiftly through the thickets. +A rifle cracked and a twig overhead severed by a bullet fell upon his +face. Garay shivered and stood still for a long time. Courage trickled +back, and he resumed his advance, though it was slow. A second rifle +cracked, and a bullet passed so close to his cheek that he felt its +wind. He could not restrain a cry of terror, and turning again he fled +northward to St. Luc. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +PUPILS OF THE BEAR + +When Robert and Tayoga returned to the camp and told Willet what they +had done the hunter laughed a little. + +"Garay doesn't want to face St. Luc," he said, "but he will do it +anyhow. He won't dare to come back on the trail in face of bullets, +and now we're sure to deliver his letter in ample time." + +"Should we go direct to Albany?" asked Robert. + +The hunter cupped his chin in his hand and meditated. + +"I'm all for Colonel Johnson," he replied at last. "He understands the +French and Indians and has more vigor than the authorities at Albany. +It seems likely to me that he will still be at the head of Lake George +where we left him, perhaps building the fort of which they were +talking before we left there." + +"His wound did not give promise of getting well so very early," said +Robert, "and he would not move while he was in a weakened condition." + +"Then it's almost sure that he's at the head of the lake and we'll +turn our course toward that point. What do you say, Tayoga?" + +"Waraiyageh is the man to have the letter, Great Bear. If it becomes +necessary for him to march to the defense of Albany he will do it." + +"Then the three of us are in unanimity and Lake George it is instead +of Albany." + +They started in an hour, and changing their course somewhat, began a +journey across the maze of mountains toward Andiatarocte, the lake +that men now call George, and Robert's heart throbbed at the thought +that he would soon see it again in all its splendor and beauty. He had +passed so much of his life near them that his fortunes seemed to him +to be interwoven inseparably with George and Champlain. + +They thought they would reach the lake in a few days, but in a +wilderness and in war the plans of men often come to naught. Before +the close of the day they came upon traces of a numerous band +traveling on the great trail between east and west, and they also +found among them footprints that turned out. These Willet and Tayoga +examined with the greatest care and interest and they lingered longest +over a pair uncommonly long and slender. + +"I think they're his," the hunter finally said. + +"So do I," said the Onondaga. + +"Those long, slim feet could belong to nobody but the Owl." + +"It can be only the Owl." + +"Now, who under the sun is the Owl?" asked Robert, mystified. + +"The Owl is, in truth, a most dangerous man," replied the hunter. "His +name, which the Indians have given him, indicates he works by night, +though he's no sloth in the day, either. But he has another name, +also, the one by which he was christened. It's Charles Langlade, a +young Frenchman who was a trader before the war. I've seen him more +than once. He's mighty shrewd and alert, uncommon popular among the +western Indians, who consider him as one of them because he married a +good looking young Indian woman at Green Bay, and a great forester and +wilderness fighter. It's wonderful how the French adapt themselves to +the ways of the Indians and how they take wives among them. I suppose +the marriage tie is one of their greatest sources of strength with the +tribes. Now, Tayoga, why do you think the Owl is here so far to the +eastward of his usual range?" + +"He and his warriors are looking for scalps, Great Bear, and it may be +that they have seen St. Luc. They were traveling fast and they are now +between us and Andiatarocte. I like it but little." + +"Not any less than I do. It upsets our plans. We must leave the trail, +or like as not we'll run squarely into a big band. What a pity our +troops didn't press on after the victory at the lake. Instead of +driving the French and Indians out of the whole northern wilderness +we've left it entirely to them." + +They turned from the trail with reluctance, because, strong and +enduring as they were, incessant hardships, long traveling and battle +were beginning to tell upon all three, and they were unwilling to be +climbing again among the high mountains. But there was no choice and +night found them on a lofty ridge in a dense thicket. The hunter and +the Onondaga were disturbed visibly over the advent of Langlade, and +their uneasiness was soon communicated to the sympathetic mind of +Robert. + +The night being very clear, sown with shining stars, they saw rings of +smoke rising toward the east, and outlined sharply against the dusky +blue. + +"That's Langlade sending up signals," said the hunter, anxiously, "and +he wouldn't do it unless he had something to talk about." + +"When one man speaks another man answers," said Tayoga. "Now from what +point will come the reply?" + +Robert felt excitement. These rings of smoke in the blue were full +of significance for them, and the reply to the first signal would be +vital. "Ah!" he exclaimed suddenly. The answer came from the west, +directly behind them. + +"I think they've discovered our trail," said Willet. "They didn't +learn it from Garay, because Langlade passed before we sent him back, +but they might have heard from St. Luc or Tandakora that we were +somewhere in the forest. It's bad. If it weren't for the letter we +could turn sharply to the north and stay in the woods till Christmas, +if need be." + +"We may have to do so, whether we wish it or not," said Tayoga. "The +shortest way is not always the best." + +Before morning they saw other smoke signals in the south, and it +became quite evident then that the passage could not be tried, except +at a risk perhaps too great to take. + +"There's nothing for it but the north," said Willet, "and we'll trust +to luck to get the letter to Waraiyageh in time. Perhaps we can find +Rogers. He must be roaming with his rangers somewhere near Champlain." + +At dawn they were up and away, but all through the forenoon they +saw rings of smoke rising from the peaks and ridges, and the last +lingering hope that they were not followed disappeared. It became +quite evident to their trained observation and the powers of inference +from circumstances which had become almost a sixth sense with them +that there was a vigorous pursuit, closing in from three points of the +compass, south, east and west. They slept again the next night in the +forest without fire and arose the following morning cold, stiff and +out of temper. While they eased their muscles and prepared for the +day's flight they resolved upon a desperate expedient. + +It was vital now to carry the letter to Johnson and then to Albany, +which they considered more important than their own escape, and they +could not afford to be driven farther and farther into the recesses of +the north, while St. Luc might be marching with a formidable force on +Albany itself. + +"With us it's unite to fight and divide for flight," said Robert, +divining what was in the mind of the others. + +"The decision is forced upon us," said Willet, regretfully. + +Tayoga nodded. + +"We'll read the letter again several times, until all of us know it by +heart," said the hunter. + +The precious document was produced, and they went over it until each +could repeat it from memory. Then Willet said: + +"I'm the oldest and I'll take the letter and go south past their +bands. One can slip through where three can't." + +He spoke with such decision that the others, although Tayoga wanted +the task of risk and honor, said nothing. + +"And do you, Robert and Tayoga," resumed the hunter, "continue your +flight to the northward. You can keep ahead of these bands, and, when +you discover the chase has stopped, curve back for Lake George. If by +any chance I should fall by the way, though it's not likely, you can +repeat the letter to Colonel Johnson, and let's hope you'll be in +time. Now good-by, and God bless you both." + +Willet never displayed emotion, but his feeling was very deep as he +wrung the outstretched hand of each. Then he turned at an angle to the +east and south and disappeared in the undergrowth. + +"He has been more than a father to me," said Robert. + +"The Great Bear is a man, a man who is pleasing to Areskoui himself," +said Tayoga with emphasis. + +"Do you think he will get safely through?" + +"There is no warrior, not even of the Clan of the Bear, of the Nation +Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who can surpass the +Great Bear in forest skill and cunning. In the night he will creep by +Tandakora himself, with such stealth, that not a leaf will stir, and +there will be not the slightest whisper in the grass. His step, too, +will be so light that his trail will be no more than a bird's in the +air." + +Robert laughed and felt better. + +"You don't stint the praise of a friend, Tayoga," he said, "but I know +that at least three-fourths of what you say is true. Now, I take it +that you and I are to play the hare to Langlade's hounds, and that in +doing so we'll be of great help to Dave." + +"Aye," agreed the Onondaga, and they swung into their gait. Robert had +received Garay's pistol which, being of the same bore as his own, was +now loaded with bullet and powder, instead of bullet and paper, and it +swung at his belt, while Tayoga carried the intermediary's rifle, a +fine piece. It made an extra burden, but they had been unwilling +to throw it away--a rifle was far too valuable on the border to be +abandoned. + +They maintained a good pace until noon, and, as they heard no sound +behind them, less experienced foresters than they might have thought +the pursuit had ceased, but they knew better. It had merely settled +into that tenacious kind which was a characteristic of the Indian +mind, and unless they could hide their trail it would continue in the +same determined manner for days. At noon, they paused a half hour in a +dense grove and ate bear and deer meat, sauced with some fine, black +wild grapes, the vines hanging thick on one of the trees. + +"Think of those splendid banquets we enjoyed when Garay was sitting +looking at us, though not sharing with us," said Robert. + +Tayoga smiled at the memory and said: + +"If he had been able to hold out a little longer he would have had +plenty of food, and we would not have had the letter. The Great Bear +would never have starved him." + +"I know that now, Tayoga, and I learn from it that we're to hold out +too, long after we think we're lost, if we're to be the victors." + +They came in the afternoon to a creek, flowing in their chosen course, +and despite the coldness of its waters, which rose almost to their +knees, they waded a long time in its bed. When they went out on the +bank they took off their leggings and moccasins, wrung or beat out of +them as much of the water as they could, and then let them dry for a +space in the sun, while they rubbed vigorously their ankles and feet +to create warmth. They knew that Langlade's men would follow on either +side of the creek until they picked up the trail again, but their +maneuver would create a long delay, and give them a rest needed badly. + +"Have you anything in mind, Tayoga?" asked Robert. "You know that the +farther north and higher we go the colder it will become, and our +flight may take us again into the very heart of a great snow storm." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga, but it is also so that I do have a plan. I think +I know the country into which we are coming, and that tells me what to +do. The people of my race, living from the beginning of the world in +the great forest, have not been too proud to learn from the animals, +and of all the animals we know perhaps the wisest is the bear." + +"The bear is scarcely an animal, Tayoga. He is almost a human being. +He has as good a sense of humor as we have, and he is more careful +about minding his own business, and letting alone that of other +people." + +"Dagaeoga is not without wisdom. We will even learn from the bear. +A hundred miles to the north of us there is a vast rocky region +containing many caves, where the bears go in great numbers to sleep +the long winters through. It is not much disturbed, because it is +a dangerous country, lying between the Hodenosaunee and the Indian +nations to the north, with which we have been at war for centuries. +There we will go." + +"And hole up until our peril passes! Your plan appeals to me, Tayoga! +I will imitate the bear! I will even be a bear!" + +"We will take the home of one of them before he comes for it himself, +and we will do him no injustice, because the wise bear can always find +another somewhere else." + +"They're fine caves, of course!" exclaimed Robert, buoyantly, his +imagination, which was such a powerful asset with him, flaming up as +usual. "Dry and clean, with plenty of leaves for beds, and with nice +little natural shelves for food, and a pleasant little brook just +outside the door. It will be pleasant to lie in our own cave, the best +one of course, and hear the snow and sleet storms whistle by, while +we're warm and comfortable. If we only had complete assurance that +Dave was through with the letter I'd be willing to stay there until +spring." + +Tayoga smiled indulgently. + +"Dagaeoga is always dreaming," he said, "but bright dreams hurt +nobody." + +When night came, they were many more miles on their way, but it was +a very cold darkness that fell upon them and they shivered in their +blankets. Robert made no complaint, but he longed for the caves, of +which he was making such splendid pictures. Shortly before morning, a +light snow fell and the dawn was chill and discouraging, so much so +that Tayoga risked a fire for the sake of brightness and warmth. + +"Langlade's men will come upon the coals we leave," he said, "but +since we have not shaken them off it will make no difference. How much +food have we left, Dagaeoga?" + +"Not more than enough for three days." + +"Then it is for us to find more soon. It is another risk that we must +take. I wish I had with me now my bow and arrows which I left at the +lake, instead of Garay's rifle. But Areskoui will provide." + +The day turned much colder, and the streams to which they came were +frozen over. By night, the ice was thick enough to sustain their +weight and they traveled on it for a long time, their thick moosehide +moccasins keeping their feet warm, and saving them from falling. +Before they returned to the land it began to snow again, and Tayoga +rejoiced openly. + +"Now a white blanket will lie over the trail we have left on the ice," +he said, "hiding it from the keenest eyes that ever were in a man's +head." + +Then they crossed a ridge and came upon a lake, by the side of which +they saw through the snow and darkness a large fire burning. Creeping +nearer, they discerned dusky forms before the flames and made out a +band of at least twenty warriors, many of them sound asleep, wrapped +to the eyes in their blankets. + +"Have they passed ahead of us and are they here meaning to guard the +way against us?" whispered Robert. + +"No, it is not one of the bands that has been following us," replied +the Onondaga. "This is a war party going south, and not much stained +as yet by time and travel. They are Montagnais, come from Montreal. +They seek scalps, but not ours, because they do not know of us." + +Robert shuddered. These savages, like as not, would fall at midnight +upon some lone settlement, and his intense imagination depicted the +hideous scenes to follow. + +"Come away," he whispered. "Since they don't know anything about us +we'll keep them in ignorance. I'm longing more than ever for my warm +bear cave." + +They disappeared in the falling snow, which would soon hide their +trail here, as it had hidden it elsewhere, and left the lake behind +them, not stopping until they came to a deep and narrow gorge in the +mountains, so well sheltered by overhanging bushes that no snow fell +there. They raked up great quantities of dry leaves, after the usual +fashion, and spread their blankets upon them, poor enough quarters +save for the hardiest, but made endurable for them by custom and +intense weariness. Both fell asleep almost at once, and both awoke +about the same time far after dawn. + +Robert moved his stiff fingers in his blanket and sat up, feeling cold +and dismal. Tayoga was sitting up also, and the two looked at each +other. + +"In very truth those bear caves never seemed more inviting to me," +said young Lennox, solemnly, "and yet I only see them from afar." + +"Dagaeoga has fallen in love with bear caves," said the Onondaga, in +a whimsical tone. "The time is not so far back when he never talked +about them at all, and now words in their praise fall from his lips in +a stream." + +"It's because I've experienced enlightenment, Tayoga. It is only in +the last two or three days that I've learned the vast superiority of a +cave to any other form of human habitation. Our remote ancestors lived +in them two or three hundred thousand years, and we've been living in +houses of wood or brick or stone only six or seven thousand years, I +suppose, and so the cave, if you judge by the length of time, is our +true home. Hence I'm filled with a just enthusiasm at the thought of +going back speedily to the good old ways and the good old days. It's +possible, Tayoga, that our remote grandfathers knew best." + +"When Dagaeoga comes to his death bed, seventy or eighty years from +now, and the medicine man tells him but little more breath is left in +his body, what then do you think he will do?" + +"What will I do, Tayoga?" + +"You will say to the medicine man, 'Tell me exactly how long I have +to live,' and the medicine man will reply: 'Ten minutes, O Dagaeoga, +venerable chief and great orator.' Then you will say: 'Let all the +people be summoned and let them crowd into the wigwam in which I lie,' +and when they have all come and stand thick about your bed, you will +say, 'Now raise me into a sitting position and put the pillows thick +behind my back and head that I may lean against them.' Then you +will speak to the people. The words will flow from your lips in a +continuous and golden stream. It will be the finest speech of your +life. It will be filled with magnificent words, many of them, eight or +ten syllables long. It will be mellow like the call of a trumpet. It +will be armed with force, and it will be beautiful with imagery; it +will be suffused and charged with color, it will be the very essence +of poetry and power, and as the aged Dagaeoga draws his very last +breath so he will speak his very last word, and thus, in a golden +cloud, his soul will go away into infinite space, to dwell forever +in the bosom of Manitou, with the immortal sachems, Tododaho and +Hayowentha!" + +"Do you know, Tayoga, I think that would be a happy death," said +Robert earnestly. + +The Onondaga laughed heartily. + +"Thus does Dagaeoga show his true nature," he said. "He was born with +the spirit and soul of the orator, and the fact is disclosed often. It +is well. The orator, be he white or red, will lose himself sometimes +in his own words, but he is a gift from the gods, sent to lift up the +souls, and cheer the rest of us. He is the bugle that calls us to the +chase and we must not forget that his value is great." + +"And having said a whole cargo of words yourself Tayoga, now what do +you propose that we do?" + +"Push on with all our strength for the caves. I know now we are on the +right path, because I recall the country through which we are passing. +At noon we will reach a small lake, in which the fish are so numerous +that there is not room for them all at the same time in the water. +They have to take turns in getting the air above the surface on top of +the others. For that reason the fish of this lake are different from +all other fish. They will live a full hour on the bank after they are +caught." + +"Tayoga, in very truth, you've learned our ways well. You've become a +prince of romancers yourself." + +At the appointed time they reached the lake. There were no fish above +its surface, but the Onondaga claimed it was due to the fact that the +lake was covered with ice which of course kept them down, and which +crowded them excessively, and very uncomfortably. They broke two big +holes in the ice, let down the lines which they always carried, the +hooks baited with fragments of meat, and were soon rewarded with +splendid fish, as much as they needed. + +Tayoga with his usual skill lighted a fire, despite the driving snow, +and they had a banquet, taking with them afterward a supply of the +cooked fish, though they knew they could not rely upon fish alone in +the winter days that were coming. But fortune was with them. Before +dark, Robert shot a deer, a great buck, fine and fat. They had so +little fear of pursuit now that they cut up the body, saving the skin +whole for tanning, and hung the pieces in the trees, there to +freeze. Although it would make quite a burden they intended to carry +practically all of it with them. + +Many mountain wolves were drawn that night by the odor of the spoils, +but they lay between twin fires and had no fear of an attack. Yet the +time might come when they would be assailed by fierce wild animals, +and now they were glad that Tayoga had kept Garay's rifle, and also +his ammunition, a good supply of powder and bullets. It was possible +that the question of ammunition might become vital with them, but they +did not yet talk of it. + +On the second day thereafter, bearing their burdens of what had been +the deer, they reached the stony valley Tayoga had in mind, and Robert +saw at once that its formation indicated many caves. + +"Now, I wonder if the bears have come," he said, putting down his pack +and resting. "The cold has been premature and perhaps they're still +roaming through the forest. I shouldn't want to put an interloper out +of my own particular cave, but, if I have to do it, I will." + +"The bears haven't arrived yet," said Tayoga, "and we can choose. I do +not know, but I do not think a bear always occupies the same winter +home, so we will not have to fight over our place." + +It was a really wonderful valley, where the decaying stone had made a +rich assortment of small caves, many of them showing signs of former +occupancy by large wild animals, and, after long searching, they found +one that they could make habitable for themselves. Its entrance was +several feet above the floor of the valley, so that neither storm nor +winter flood could send water into it, and its own floor was fairly +smooth, with a roof eight or ten feet high. It could be easily +defended with their three rifles, the aperture being narrow, and they +expected, with skins and pelts, to make it warm. + +It was but a cold and bleak refuge for all save the hardiest, and +for a little while Robert had to use his last ounce of will to save +himself from discouragement. But vigorous exertion and keen interest +in the future brought back his optimism. The hide of the deer they had +slain was spread at once upon the cave floor and made a serviceable +rug. They spoke hopefully of soon adding to it. + +A brook flowed less than a hundred yards away, and they would have +no trouble about their water supply, while the country about seemed +highly favorable for game. But on their first day there they did not +do any hunting. They rolled several large stones before the door of +their new home, making it secure against any prying wild animals, and +then, after a hearty meal, they wrapped themselves in their blankets +and slept prodigiously. + +Tayoga went into the forest the next day and set traps and snares, +while Robert worked in the valley, breaking up fallen wood to be used +for fires, and doing other chores. The Onondaga in the next three or +four days shot a large panther, a little bear, and caught in the traps +and snares a quantity of small game. The big pelts and the little +pelts, after proper treatment, were spread upon the floor or hung +against the walls of the cave, which now began to assume a much more +inviting aspect, and the flesh of the animals that were eatable, cured +after the primitive but effective processes, was stored there also. + +Providence granted them a period of good weather, days and nights +alike being clear and cold. The game, evidently not molested for a +long time, fairly walked into their traps, and they were compelled to +draw but little upon their precious supply of ammunition. Food for the +future accumulated rapidly, and the floor and walls of the cave were +soon covered entirely with furs. + +Not one of the numerous caves and hollows about them contained an +occupant and Robert wondered if their presence would frighten away the +wild animals, so many of which had hibernated there so often. Yet he +had a belief that the bears would come. His present mode of life and +his isolation from the world gave him a feeling almost of kinship with +them, and in some strange way, and through some medium unknown to him, +they might reciprocate. He and Tayoga had killed several bears, it was +true, but far from the cave, and they made up their minds to molest +nothing in the valley or just about it. + +It was a land of many waters and they caught with ease numerous fish, +drying all the surplus and storing it with the other food in the cave. +They also made soft beds for themselves of the little branches of the +evergreen, over which they spread their blankets, and when they rolled +the stone before the doorway at night they never failed to sleep +soundly. + +They did their cooking in front of the cave door, but it was always +a smothered fire. While they felt safe from wandering bands in that +lofty and remote region, they took no unnecessary risks. The valley +itself, though deep, was much broken up into separate little valleys, +and most of the caves were hidden from their own. It was this fact +that made Robert still think the bears would come, despite coals and +flame. In the evenings they would talk of Willet, and both were firm +in the opinion that the hunter had got through to Lake George and that +Johnson and Albany had been warned in time. Each was confirmed in his +opinion by the other and in a few days it became certainty. + +"I think Tododaho on his star whispered in my ear while I slept that +Great Bear has passed the hostile lines," said Tayoga with conviction, +"because I know it, just as if the Great Bear himself had told it to +me, though I do not know how I know it." + +"It's some sort of mysterious information," said Robert in the same +tone of absolute belief, "and I don't worry any more about Dave and +the letter. The men of the Hodenosaunee seem to have a special gift. +You know the old chief, Hendrik, foretold that he would die on the +shores of Andiatarocte, and it came to pass just as he had said." + +"It was a glorious death, Dagaeoga, and it was, perhaps, he who saved +our army, and made the victory possible." + +"So it was. There's not a doubt of it, but, here, I don't feel much +like taking part in a war. The great struggle seems to have passed +around us for a while, at least. I appear to myself as a man of peace, +occupied wholly with the struggle for existence and with preparations +for a hard winter. I don't want to harm anything." + +"Perhaps it's because nothing we know of wants to harm us. But, +Dagaeoga, if the bears come at all they will come quickly, because in +a few days winter will be roaring down upon us." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must hurry our labors, and since the mysterious +message brought in some manner through the air has told us that Dave +has reached the lake, I'm rather anxious for it to rush down. While it +keeps us here it will also hold back the forces of St. Luc." + +"That's true, Dagaeoga. It's a poor snow that doesn't help somebody. +Now, I will make a bow and arrow to take the place of my great bow and +quiver, which await me elsewhere, because we must draw but little upon +our powder and bullets." + +The Onondaga had hatchet and knife and he worked with great rapidity +and skill, cutting and bending a bow in two or three days, and making +a string of strong sinews, after which he fashioned many arrows and +tipped them with sharp bone. Then he contemplated his handiwork with +pride. + +"Hasty work is never the best of work," he said, "and these are not as +good as those I left behind me, but I know they will serve. The game +here, hunted but little, is not very wary and I can approach near." + +His skill both in construction and use was soon proved, as he slew +with his new weapons a great moose, two ordinary deer, and much +smaller game, while the traps caught beaver, otter, fox, wolf and +other animals, with fine pelts. Many splendid furs were soon drying +in the air and were taken later into the cave, while they accumulated +dried and jerked game enough to last them until the next spring. + +Both worked night and day with such application and intensity that +their hands became stiff and sore, and every bone in them ached. +Nevertheless Robert took time now and then to examine the little caves +in the other sections of the valley, only to find them still empty. +He thought, for a while, that the presence of Tayoga and himself and +their operations with the game might have frightened the bears away, +but the feeling that they would come returned and was strong upon him. +As for Tayoga he never doubted. It had been decreed by Tododaho. + +"The animals have souls," he said. "Often when great warriors die or +fall in battle their souls go into the bodies of bear, or deer, or +wolf, but oftenest into that of bear. For that reason the bear, saving +only the dog which lives with us, is nearest to man, and now and then, +because of the warrior soul in him, he is a man himself, although +he walks on four legs--and he does not always walk on four legs, +sometimes he stands on two. Doubt not, Dagaeoga, that when the stormy +winter sweeps down the bears will come to their ancient homes, whether +or not we be here." + +The winds grew increasingly chill, coming from the vast lakes beyond +the Great Lakes, those that lay in the far Canadian north, and the +skies were invariably leaden in hue and gloomy. But in the cave it +was cozy and warm. Furs and skins were so numerous that there was no +longer room on the floor and walls for them all, many being stored in +glossy heaps in the corners. + +"Some day these will bring a good price from the Dutch traders at +Albany," said Robert, "and it may be, Tayoga, that you and I will need +the money. I've been a scout and warrior for a long time, and now +I've suddenly turned fur hunter. Well, that spirit of peace and of a +friendly feeling toward all mankind grows upon me. Why shouldn't I be +full of brotherly love when your patron saint, Tododaho, has been so +kind to us?" + +He swept the cave once more with a glance of approval. It furnished +shelter, warmth, food in abundance, and with its furs even a certain +velvety richness for the eye, and Tayoga nodded assent. Meanwhile they +waited for the fierce blasts of the mountain winter. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +THE SLEEPING SENTINELS + +A singular day came when it seemed to Robert that the wind alternately +blew hot and cold, at least by contrast, and the deep, leaden skies +were suffused with a peculiar mist that made him see all objects in +a distorted fashion. Everything was out of proportion. Some were +too large and some too small. Either the world was awry or his own +faculties had become discolored and disjointed. While his interest in +his daily toil decreased and his thoughts were vague and distant, +his curiosity, nevertheless, was keen and concentrated. He knew that +something unusual was going to happen and nature was preparing him for +it. + +The occult quality in the air did not depart with the coming of night, +though the winds no longer alternated, the warm blasts ceasing to +blow, while the cold came steadily and with increasing fierceness. Yet +it was warm and close in the cave, and the two went outside for air, +wandering up the face of the ridge that enclosed the northern side +of their particular valley in the chain of little valleys. Upon the +summit they stood erect, and the face of Tayoga became rapt like +that of a seer. When Robert looked at him his own blood tingled. The +Onondaga shut his eyes, and he spoke not so much to Robert as to the +air itself: + +"O Tododaho," he said, "when mine eyes are open I do not see you +because of the vast clouds that Manitou has heaped between, but when I +close them the inner light makes me behold you sitting upon your star +and looking down with kindness upon this, the humblest and least of +your servants. O Tododaho, you have given my valiant comrade and +myself a safe home in the wilderness in our great need, and I beseech +you that you will always hold your protecting shield between us and +our enemies." + +He paused, his eyes still closed, and stood tense and erect, the north +wind blowing on his face. A shiver ran through Robert, not a shiver of +fear, but a shiver caused by the mysterious and the unknown. His own +eyes were open, and he gazed steadily into the northern heavens. +The occult quality in the air deepened, and now his nerves began to +tingle. His soul thrilled with a coming event. Suddenly the deep, +leaden clouds parted for a few moments, and in the clear space between +he could have sworn that he saw a great dancing star, from which a +mighty, benevolent face looked down upon them. + +"I saw him! I saw him!" he exclaimed in excitement. "It was Tododaho +himself!" + +"I did not see him with my eyes, but I saw him with my soul," said the +Onondaga, opening his eyes, "and he whispered to me that his favor was +with us. We cannot fail in what we wish to do." + +"Look in the next valley, Tayoga. What do you behold now?" + +"It is the bears, Dagaeoga. They come to their long winter sleep." + +Rolling figures, enlarged and fantastic, emerged from the mist. Robert +saw great, red eyes, sharp teeth and claws, and yet he felt neither +fear nor hostility. Tayoga's statement that they were bears, into +which the souls of great warriors had gone, was strong in his mind, +and he believed. They looked up at him, but they did not pause, moving +on to the little caves. + +"They see us," he said. + +"So they do," said Tayoga, "but they do not fear us. The spirits of +mighty warriors look out of their eyes at us, and knowing that they +were once as we are they know also that we will not harm them." + +"Have you ever seen the like of this before, Tayoga?" + +"No! But a few of the old men of the Hodenosaunee have told of their +grandfathers who have seen it. I think it is a mark of favor to us +that we are permitted to behold such a sight. Now I am sure Tododaho +has looked upon us with great approval. Lo, Dagaeoga, more of them +come out of the mist! Before morning every cave, save those in our own +little corner of the valley, will be filled. All of them gaze up at +us, recognize us as friends and pass on. It is a wonderful sight, +Dagaeoga, and we shall never look upon its like again." + +"No," said Robert, as the extraordinary thrill ran through him once +more. "Now they have gone into their caves, and I believe with you, +Tayoga, that the souls of great warriors truly inhabit the bodies of +the bears." + +"And since they are snugly in their homes, ready for the long winter +sleep, lo! the great snow comes, Dagaeoga!" + +A heavy flake fell on Robert's upturned face, and then another and +another. The circling clouds, thick and leaden, were beginning to pour +down their burden, and the two retreated swiftly to their own dry and +well furnished cave. Then they rolled the great stones before the +door, and Tayoga said: + +"Now, we will imitate our friends, the bears, and take a long winter +sleep." + +Both were soon slumbering soundly in their blankets and furs, and all +that night and all the next day the snow fell on the high mountains in +the heart of which they lay. There was no wind, and it came straight +down, making an even depth on ridge, slope and valley. It blotted out +the mouths of the caves, and it clothed all the forest in deep white. +Robert and Tayoga were but two motes, lost in the vast wilderness, +which had returned to its primeval state, and the Indians themselves, +whether hostile or friendly, sought their villages and lodges and were +willing to leave the war trail untrodden until the months of storm and +bitter cold had passed. + +Robert slept heavily. His labors in preparation for the winter had +been severe and unremitting, and his nerves had been keyed very high +by the arrival of the bears and the singular quality in the air. Now, +nature claimed her toll, and he did not awake until nearly noon, +Tayoga having preceded him a half hour. The Onondaga stood at the door +of the cave, looking over the stones that closed its lower half. Fresh +air poured in at the upper half, but Robert saw there only a whitish +veil like a foaming waterfall. + +"The time o' day, Sir Tayoga, Knight of the Great Forest," he said +lightly and cheerfully. + +"There is no sun to tell me," replied the Onondaga. "The face of +Areskoui will be hidden long, but I know that at least half the day is +gone. The flakes make a thick and heavy white veil, through which +I cannot see, and great as are the snows every winter on the high +mountains, this will be the greatest of them all." + +"And we've come into our lair. And a mighty fine lair it is, too. I +seem to adapt myself to such a place, Tayoga. In truth, I feel like +a bear myself. You say that the souls of warriors have gone into the +bears about us, and it may be that the soul of a bear has come into +me." + +"It may be," said Tayoga, gravely. "It is at least a wise thought, +since, for a while, we must live like bears." + +Robert would have chafed, any other time, at a stay that amounted to +imprisonment, but peace and shelter were too welcome now to let him +complain. Moreover, there were many little but important house-hold +duties to do. They made needles of bone, and threads of sinew and +repaired their clothing. Tayoga had stored suitable wood and bone and +he turned out arrow after arrow. He also made another bow, and Robert, +by assiduous practice, acquired sufficient skill to help in these +tasks. They did not drive themselves now, but the hours being filled +with useful and interesting labor, they were content to wait. + +For three or four days, while the snow still fell, they ate cold food, +but when the clouds at last floated away, and the air was free from +the flakes, they went outside and by great effort--the snow being four +or five feet deep--cleared a small space near the entrance, where they +cooked a good dinner from their stores and enjoyed it extravagantly. +Meanwhile the days passed. Robert was impatient at times, but never a +long while. If the mental weariness of waiting came to him he plunged +at once into the tasks of the day. + +There was plenty to do, although they had prepared themselves so well +before the great snowfall came. They made rude shovels of wood and +enlarged the space they had cleared of snow. Here, they fitted stones +together, until they had a sort of rough furnace which, crude though +it was, helped them greatly with their cooking. They also pulled more +brushwood from under the snow, and by its use saved the store they +had heaped up for impossible days. Then, by continued use of the bone +needles and sinews, they managed to make cloaks for themselves of the +bearskins. They were rather shapeless garments, and they had little of +beauty save in the rich fur itself, but they were wonderfully warm and +that was what they wanted most. + +Tayoga, after a while, began slow and painstaking work on a pair of +snowshoes, expecting to devote many days to the task. + +"The snow is so deep we cannot pass through it," he said, "but I, at +least, will pass upon it. I cannot get the best materials, but what I +have will serve. I shall not go far, but I want to explore the country +about us." + +Robert thought it a good plan, and helped as well as he could with the +work. They still stayed outdoors as much as possible, but the cold +became intense, the temperature going almost to forty degrees below +zero, the surface of the snow freezing and the boughs of the big +trees about the valley becoming so brittle that they broke with sharp +crashes beneath the weight of accumulated snow. Then they paused long +enough in the work on the snowshoes to make themselves gloves of +buckskin, which were a wonderful help, as they labored in the fresh +air. Ear muffs and caps of bearskin followed. + +"I feel some reluctance about using bearskin so much," said Robert, +"since the bears about us are inhabited by the souls of great warriors +and are our friends." + +"But the bears that we killed did not belong here," said Tayoga, "and +were bears and nothing more. It was right for us to slay them because +the bear was sent by Manitou to be a support for the Indian with his +flesh and his pelt." + +"But how do you know that the bears we killed were just bears and +bears only?" + +"Because, if they had not been we would not have killed them." + +Thus were the qualms of young Lennox quieted and he used his bearskin +cap, gloves and cloak without further scruple. The snowshoes were +completed and Tayoga announced that he would start early the next +morning. + +"I may be gone three or four days, Dagaeoga," he said, "but I will +surely return. I shall avoid danger, and do you be careful also." + +"Don't fear for me," said Robert. "I'm not likely to go farther than +the brook, since there's no great sport in breaking your way through +snow that comes to your waist, and which, moreover, is covered with a +thick sheet of ice. Don't trouble your mind about me, Tayoga, I won't +roam from home." + +The Onondaga took his weapons, a supply of food, and departed, +skimming over the snow with wonderful, flying strokes, while Robert +settled down to lonely waiting. It was a hard duty, but he again found +solace in work, and at intervals he contemplated the mouths of the +bears' caves, now almost hidden by the snow. Tayoga's belief was +strong upon him, for the time, and he concluded that the warriors +who inhabited the bodies of the bears must be having some long and +wonderful dreams. At least, they had plenty of time to dream in, and +it was an extraordinary provision of nature that gave them such a +tremendous sleep. + +Tayoga returned in four days, and Robert, who had more than enough of +being alone, welcomed him with hospitable words to a fire and a feast. + +"I must first put away my spoils," said the Onondaga, his dark eyes +glittering. + +"Spoils! What spoils, Tayoga?" + +"Powder and lead," he replied, taking a heavy bundle wrapped in +deerskin from beneath his bearskin overcoat. "It weighs a full fifty +pounds, and it made my return journey very wearisome. Catch it, +Dagaeoga!" + +Robert caught, and he saw that it was, in truth, powder and lead. + +"Now, where did you get this?" he exclaimed. "You couldn't have gone +to any settlement!" + +"There is no settlement to go to. I made our enemies furnish the +powder and lead we need so much, and that is surely the cheapest way. +Listen, Dagaeoga. I remembered that to the east of us, about two days' +journey, was a long valley sheltered well and warm, in which Indians +who fight the Hodenosaunee often camp. I thought it likely they would +be there in such a winter as this, and that I might take from them in +the night the powder and lead we need so much. + +"I was right. The savages were there, and with them a white man, a +Frenchman, that Charles Langlade, called the Owl, from whom we fled. +They had an abundance of all things, and they were waxing fat, until +they could take the war path in the spring. Then, Dagaeoga, I played +the fox. At night, when they dreamed of no danger, I entered their +biggest lodges, passing as one of them, and came away with the powder +and lead." + +"It was a great feat, Tayoga, but are you sure none of them will trail +you here?" + +"The surface of the snow and ice melts a little in the noonday sun, +enough to efface all trace of the snowshoes, and my trail is no more +than that made by a bird in its flight through the air. Nor can we be +followed here while we are guarded by the bears, who sleep, but who, +nevertheless, are sentinels." + +Tayoga took off his snowshoes, and sank upon a heap of furs in the +cave, while Robert brought him food and inspected the great prize of +ammunition he had brought. The package contained a dozen huge horns +filled with powder, and many small bars of lead, the latter having +made the weight which had proved such a severe trial to the Onondaga. + +"Here's enough of both lead and powder to last us throughout the +winter, whatever may happen," said Robert in a tone of intense +satisfaction. "Tayoga, you're certainly a master freebooter. You +couldn't have made a more useful capture." + +Each, after the invariable custom of hunters and scouts, carried +bullet molds, and they were soon at work, melting the lead and casting +bullets for their rifles, then pouring the shining pellets in a stream +into their pouches. They continued at the task from day to day until +all the lead was turned into bullets and then they began work on +another pair of snowshoes, these intended for Robert. + +Despite the safety and comfort of their home in the rock, both began +to chafe now, and time grew tremendously long. They had done nearly +everything they could do for themselves, and life had become so easy +that there was leisure to think and be restless, because they were far +away from great affairs. + +"When my snowshoes are finished and I perfect myself in the use of +them," said Robert, "I favor an attempt to escape on the ice and snow +to the south. We grow rusty, you and I, here, Tayoga. The war may be +decided in our absence and I want to see Dave, too. I want to hear him +tell how he got through the savage cordon to the lake." + +"Have no fear about the war, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "It will +not be ended this winter nor the next. Before there is peace between +the French king and the British king you will have a chance to make +many speeches. Yet, like you, I think we should go. It is not well for +us to lie hidden in the ground through a whole winter." + +"But when we leave our good home here I shall leave many regrets +behind." + +He looked around at the cave and its supplies of skins and furs, its +stores of wood and food. Fortune had helped their own skill and they +had made a marvelous change in the place. Its bleakness and bareness +had disappeared. In the cold and bitter wilderness it offered more +than comfort, it was luxury itself. + +"So shall I," said Tayoga, appreciatively, "but we will heap rocks up +to the very top of the door, so that only a little air and nothing +else can enter, and leave it as it is. Some day we may want to use it +again." + +Having decided to go, they became very impatient, but they did not +skimp the work on the snowshoes, knowing how much depended on their +strength, but that task too, like all the others, came to an end in +time. Robert practiced a while and they selected a day of departure. +They were to take with them all the powder and bullets, a large supply +of food and their heavy bearskin overcoats. They had also made for +themselves over-moccasins of fur and extra deerskin leggings. They +would be bundled up greatly, but it was absolutely necessary in order +to face the great cold, that hovered continuously around thirty to +forty degrees below zero. The ear muffs, the caps and the gloves, too, +were necessities, but they had the comfort of believing that if the +fierce winter presented great difficulties to them, it would also keep +their savage enemies in their lodges. + +"The line that shut us in in the autumn has thinned out and gone!" +exclaimed Robert in sanguine tones, "and we'll have a clear path from +here to the lake!" + +Then they rolled stones, as they had planned, before the door to their +home, closing it wholly except a few square inches at the top, and +ascended on their snowshoes to the crest of the ridge. + +"Our cave will not be disturbed, at least not this winter," said +Tayoga confidently. "The bears that sleep below are, as I told you, +the silent sentinels, and they will guard it for us until we come +again." + +"At least, they brought us good luck," said Robert. Then, with long, +gliding strokes they passed over the ridge, and their happy valley was +lost to sight. They did not speak again for hours, Tayoga leading the +way, and each bending somewhat to his task, which was by no means +a light one, owing to the weight they carried, and the extremely +mountainous nature of the country. The wilderness was still and +intensely cold. The deep snow was covered by a crust of ice, and, +despite vigorous exertion and warm clothing, they were none too warm. + +By noon Robert's ankle, not thoroughly hardened to the snowshoes, +began to chafe, and they stopped to rest in a dense grove, where the +searching north wind was turned aside from them. They were traveling +by the sun for the south end of Lake George, but as they were in the +vast plexus of mountains, where their speed could not be great, even +under the best of conditions, they calculated that they would be many +days and nights on the way. + +They stayed fully an hour in the shelter of the trees, and an hour +later came to a frozen lake over which the traveling was easy, but +after they had passed it they entered a land of close thickets, in +which their progress was extremely slow. At night, the cold was very +great, but, as they scooped out a deep hollow in the snow, though they +attempted no fire, they were able to keep warm within their bearskins. +A second and a third day passed in like fashion, and their progress to +the south was unimpeded, though slow. They beheld no signs of human +life save their own, but invariably in the night, and often in the +day, they heard distant wolves howling. + +On the fourth day the temperature rose rapidly and the surface of +the snow softened, making their southward march much harder. Their +snowshoes clogged so much and the strain upon their ankles grew so +great that they decided to go into camp long before sunset, and give +themselves a thorough rest. They also scraped away the snow and +lighted a fire for the first time, no small task, as the snow was +still very deep, and it required much hunting to find the fallen +wood. But when the cheerful blaze came they felt repaid for all their +trouble. They rejoiced in the glow for an hour or so, and then Tayoga +decided that he would go on a short hunting trip along the course of a +stream that they could see about a quarter of a mile below. + +"It may be that I can rouse up a deer," he said. "They are likely to +be in the shelter of the thick bushes along the water's edge, but +whether I find them or not I will return shortly after sundown. Do you +await me here, Dagaeoga." + +"I won't stir. I'm too tired," said Robert. + +The Onondaga put on his snowshoes again, and strapped to his back his +share of the ammunition and supplies--it had been agreed by the two +that neither should ever go anywhere without his half, lest they +become separated. Then he departed on smooth, easy strokes, almost +like one who skated, and was soon out of sight among the bushes at the +edge of the stream. Robert settled back to the warmth and brightness +of the fire, and awaited in peace the sound of a shot telling that +Tayoga had found the deer. + +He had been so weary, and the blaze was so soothing that he sank into +a state, not sleep, but nevertheless full of dreams. He saw Willet +again, and heard him tell the tale how he had reached the lake and +the army with Garay's letter. He saw Colonel Johnson, and the young +English officer, Grosvenor, and Colden and Wilton and Carson and all +his old friends, and then he heard a crunch on the snow near him. Had +Tayoga come back so soon and without his deer? He did not raise his +drooping eyelids until he heard the crunch again, and then when he +opened them he sprang suddenly to his feet, his heart beating fast +with alarm. + +A half dozen dark figures rushed upon him. He snatched at his rifle +and tried to meet the first of them with a bullet, but the range was +too close. He nevertheless managed to get the muzzle in the air and +pull the trigger. He remembered even in that terrible moment to do +that much and Tayoga would hear the sharp, lashing report. Then the +horde was upon him. Someone struck him a stunning blow on the side of +the head with the flat of a tomahawk, and he fell unconscious. + +When he returned to the world, the twilight had come, the hole in the +snow had been enlarged very much, and so had the fire. Seated around +it were a dozen Indians, wrapped in thick blankets and armed heavily, +and one white man whose attire was a strange compound of savage and +civilized. He wore a three-cornered French military hat with a great, +drooping plume of green, an immense cloak of fine green cloth, lined +with fur, but beneath it he was clothed in buckskin. + +The man himself was as picturesque as his attire. He was young, his +face was lean and bold, his nose hooked and fierce like that of a +Roman leader, his skin, originally fair, now tanned almost to a +mahogany color by exposure, his figure of medium height, but obviously +very powerful. Robert saw at once that he was a Frenchman and he felt +instinctively that it was Langlade. But his head was aching from the +blow of the tomahawk, and he waited in a sort of apathy. + +"So you've come back to earth," said the Frenchman, who had seen his +eyes open--he spoke in good French, which Robert understood perfectly. + +"I never had any intention of staying away," replied young Lennox. + +The Frenchman laughed. + +"At least you show a proper spirit," he said. "I commend you also for +managing to fire your rifle, although the bullet hit none of us. It +gave the alarm to your comrade and he got clean away. I can make a +guess as to who you are." + +"My name is Robert Lennox." + +"I thought so, and your comrade was Tayoga, the Onondaga who is not +unknown to us, a great young warrior, I admit freely. I am sorry we +did not take him." + +"I don't think you'll get a chance to lay hands on him. He'll be too +clever for you." + +"I admit that, too. He's gone like the wind on his snowshoes. It seems +queer that you and he should be here in the mountain wilderness so far +north of your lines, in the very height of a fierce winter." + +"It's just as queer that you should be here." + +"Perhaps so, from your point of view, though it's lucky that I should +have been present with these dark warriors of mine when you were +taken. They suffered heavily in the battle by Andiatarocte, and but +for me they might now be using you as fuel. Don't wince, you know +their ways and I only tell a fact. In truth, I can't make you any +promise in regard to your ultimate fate, but, at present, I need you +alive more than I need you dead." + +"You won't get any military information out of me." + +"I don't know. We shall wait and see." + +"Do you know the Chevalier de St. Luc?" + +"Of course. All Frenchmen and all Canadians know him, or know of him, +but he is far from here, and we shall not tell him that we have a +young American prisoner. The chevalier is a great soldier and the +bravest of men, but he has one fault. He does not hate the English and +the Bostonnais enough." + +Robert was not bound, but his arms and snowshoes had been taken and +the Indians were all about him. There was no earthly chance of escape. +With the wisdom of the wise he resigned himself at once to his +situation, awaiting a better moment. + +"I'm at your command," he said politely to Langlade. + +The French leader laughed, partly in appreciation. + +"You show intelligence," he said. "You do not resist, when you see +that resistance is impossible." + +Robert settled himself into a more comfortable position by the fire. +His head still ached, but it was growing easier. He knew that it was +best to assume a careless and indifferent tone. + +"I'm not ready to leave you now," he said, "but I shall go later." + +Langlade laughed again, and then directed two of the Indians to hunt +more wood. They obeyed. Robert saw that they never questioned his +leadership, and he saw anew how the French partisans established +themselves so thoroughly in the Indian confidence. The others threw +away more snow, making a comparatively large area of cleared ground, +and, when the wood was brought, they built a great fire, around which +all of them sat and ate heartily from their packs. + +Langlade gave Robert food which he forced himself to eat, although he +was not hungry. He judged that the French partisan, who could be cruel +enough on occasion, had some object in treating him well for the +present, and he was not one to disturb such a welcome frame of mind. +His weapons and the extra rifle of Garay that they had brought with +them, had already been divided among the warriors, who, pleased with +the reward, were content to wait. + +The night was spent at the captured camp, and in the morning the +entire party, Robert included, started on snowshoes almost due north. +The young prisoner felt a sinking of the heart, when his face was +turned away from his own people, and he began an unknown captivity. He +had been certain at first of escape, but it did not seem so sure now. +In former wars many prisoners taken on raids into Canada had never +been heard of again, and when he reflected in cold blood he knew that +the odds were heavy against a successful flight. Yet there was Tayoga. +His warning shot had enabled the Onondaga to evade the band, and his +comrade would never desert him. All his surpassing skill and tenacity +would be devoted to his aid. In that lay his hope. + +They pressed on toward the north as fast as they could go, and when +night came they were all exhausted, but they ate heavily again and +Robert received his share. Langlade continued to treat him kindly, +though he still had the feeling that the partisan, if it served him, +would be fully as cruel as the Indians. At night, although they built +big fires, Langlade invariably posted a strong watch, and Robert +noticed also that he usually shared it, or a part of it, from which +habit he surmised that the partisan had received the name of the Owl. +He had hoped that Tayoga might have a chance to rescue him in the +dark, but he saw now that the vigilance was too great. + +He hid his intense disappointment and kept as cheerful a face as he +could. Langlade, the only white man in the Indian band, was drawn +to him somewhat by the mere fact of racial kinship, and the two +frequently talked together in the evenings in what was a sort of +compulsory friendliness, Robert in this manner picking up scraps of +information which when welded together amounted to considerable, being +thus confirmed in his belief that Willet with the letter had reached +the lake in time. St. Luc with a formidable force had undertaken a +swift march on Albany, but the town had been put in a position of +defense, and St. Luc's vanguard had been forced to retreat by a +large body of rangers after a severe conflict. As the success of the +chevalier's daring enterprise had depended wholly on surprise, he had +then withdrawn northward. + +But Robert could not find out by any kind of questions where St. Luc +was, although he learned that Garay had never returned to Albany and +that Hendrik Martinus had made an opportune flight. Langlade, who was +thoroughly a wilderness rover, talked freely and quite boastfully +of the French power, which he deemed all pervading and invincible. +Despite the battle at Lake George the fortunes of war had gone so far +in favor of France and Canada and against Britain and the Bostonnais. +When the great campaign was renewed in the spring more and bigger +victories would crown French valor. The Owl grew expansive as he +talked to the youth, his prisoner. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is coming to lead all our armies," he said, +"and he is a far abler soldier than Dieskau. You really did us a great +service when you captured the Saxon. Only a Frenchman is fit to +lead Frenchmen, and under a mighty captain we will crush you. The +Bostonnais are not the equal of the French in the forest. Save a few +like Willet, and Rogers, the English and Americans do not learn the +ways of woods warfare, nor do you make friends with the Indians as we +do." + +"That is true in the main," responded Robert, "but we shall win +despite it. Both the English and the English Colonials have the power +to survive defeat. Can the French and the Canadians do as well?" + +Langlade could not be shaken in his faith. He saw nothing but the most +brilliant victories, and not only did he boast of French power, but he +gloried even more in the strength of the Indian hordes, that had come +and that were coming in ever increasing numbers to the help of France. +Only the Hodenosaunee stood aloof from Quebec, and he believed the +Great League even yet would be brought over to his side. + +Robert argued with the Owl, but he made no impression upon him. +Meanwhile they continued to march north by west. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +BEFORE MONTCALM + +The Owl, with his warriors and captive, descended in time into the low +country in the northwest. They, too, had been on snowshoes, but now they +discarded them, since they were entering a region in which little snow had +fallen, the severity of the weather abating greatly. Robert was still +treated well, though guarded with the utmost care. The Indians, who seemed +to be from some tribe about the Great Lakes, did not speak any dialect he +knew, and, if they understood English, they did not use it. He was +compelled to do all his talking with the Owl who, however, was not at all +taciturn. Robert saw early that while a wonderful woodsman and a born +partisan leader, he was also a Gascon, vain, boastful and full of words. He +tried to learn from him something about his possible fate, but he could +obtain no hint, until they had been traveling more than three weeks, and +Langlade had been mellowed by an uncommonly good supper of tender game, +which the Indians had cooked for him. + +"You've been trying to draw that information out of me ever since you were +captured," he said. "You were indirect and clever about it, but I noticed +it. I, Charles Langlade, have perceptions, you must understand. If I do +live in the woods I can read the minds of white men." + +"I know you can," said Robert, smilingly. "I observed from the first that +you had an acute intellect." + +"Your judgment does you credit, my young friend. I did not tell you what I +was going to do with you, because I did not know myself. I know more about +you than you think I do. One of my warriors was with Tandakora in several +of his battles with you and Willet, that mighty hunter whom the Indians +call the Great Bear, and Tayoga, the Onondaga, who is probably following on +our trail in the hope of rescuing you. I have also heard of you from +others. Oh, as I tell you, I, Charles Langlade, take note of all things. +You are a prisoner of importance. I would not give you to Tandakora, +because he would burn you, and a man does not burn valuable goods. I would +not send you to St. Luc, because, being a generous man, he might take some +foolish notion to exchange you, or even parole you. I would not give you to +the Marquis Duquesne at Quebec, because then I might lose my pawn in the +game, and, in any event, the Marquis Duquesne is retiring as Governor +General of New France." + +"Is that true? I have met him. He seemed to me to be a great man." + +"Perhaps he is, but he was too haughty and proud for the powerful men who +dwelt at Quebec, and who control New France. I have heard something of your +appearance at the capital with the Great Bear and the Onondaga, and of what +chanced at Bigot's ball, and elsewhere. Ah, you see, as I told you, I, +Charles Langlade, know all things! But to return, the Marquis Duquesne +gives way to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. Oh, that was accomplished some time +ago, and perhaps you know of it. So, I do not wish to give you to the +Marquis de Vaudreuil. I might wait and present you to the Marquis de +Montcalm when he comes, but that does not please me, either, and thus I +have about decided to present you to the Dove." + +"The Dove! Who is the Dove?" + +Langlade laughed with intense enjoyment. + +"The Dove," he replied, "is a woman, none other than Madame de Langlade +herself, a Huron. You English do not marry Indian women often--and yet +Colonel William Johnson has taken a Mohawk to wife--but we French know them +and value them. Do not think to have an easy and careless jailer when you +are put in the hands of the Dove. She will guard you even more zealously +than I, Charles Langlade, and you will notice that I have neither given you +any opportunity to escape nor your friend, Tayoga, the slightest chance to +rescue you." + +"It is true, Monsieur Langlade. I've abandoned any such hope on the march, +although I may elude you later." + +"The Dove, as I told you, will attend to that. But it will be a pretty play +of wits, and I don't mind the test. I'm aware that you have intelligence +and skill, but the Dove, though a woman, possesses the wit of a great +chief, and I'll match her against you." + +There was a further abatement of the weather, and they reached a region +where there was no snow at all. Warm winds blew from the direction of the +Great Lakes and the band traveled fast through a land in which the game +almost walked up to their rifles to be killed, such plenty causing the +Indians, as usual, now that they were not on the war path, to feast +prodigiously before huge fires, Langlade often joining them, and showing +that he was an adept in Indian customs. + +One evening, just as they were about to light the fire, the warrior who had +been posted as sentinel at the edge of the forest gave a signal and a few +moments later a tall, spare figure in a black robe with a belt about the +waist appeared. Robert's heart gave a great leap. The wearer of the black +robe was an elderly man with a thin face, ascetic and high. The captive +recognized him at once. It was Father Philibert Drouillard, the priest, +whose life had already crossed his more than once, and it was not strange +to see him there, as the French priests roamed far through the great +wilderness of North America, seeking to save the souls of the savages. + +Langlade, when he beheld Father Drouillard, sprang at once to his feet, and +Robert also arose quickly. The priest saw young Lennox, but he did not +speak to him just yet, accepting the food that the Owl offered him, and +sitting down with his weary feet to the fire that had now been lighted. + +"You have traveled far, Father?" said Langlade, solicitously. + +"From the shores of Lake Huron. I have converts there, and I must see that +they do not grow weak in the faith." + +"All men, red and white, respect Philibert Drouillard. Why are you alone, +Father?" + +"A runner from the Christian village came with me until yesterday. Then I +sent him back, because I would not keep him too long from his people. I can +go the rest of the way alone, as it will be but a few days before I meet a +French force." + +Then he turned to Robert for the first time. + +"And you, my son," he said, "I am sorry it has fared thus with you." + +"It has not gone badly, Father," said Robert. "Monsieur de Langlade has +treated me well. I have naught to complain of save that I'm a prisoner." + +"It is a good lad, Charles Langlade," said the priest to the partisan, "and +I am glad he has suffered no harm at your hands. What do you purpose to do +with him?" + +"It is my present plan to take him to the village in which Madame Langlade, +otherwise the Dove, abides. He will be her prisoner until a further plan +develops, and you know how well she watches." + +A faint smile passed over the thin face of the priest. + +"It is true, Charles Langlade," he said. "That which escapes the eyes of +the Dove is very small, but I would take the lad with me to Montreal." + +"Nay, Father, that cannot be. I am second to nobody in respect for Holy +Church, and for you, Father Drouillard, whose good deeds are known to all, +and whose bad deeds are none, but those who fight the war must use their +judgment in fighting it, and the prisoners are theirs." + +Father Drouillard sighed. + +"It is so, Charles Langlade," he said, "but, as I have said, the prisoner +is a good youth. I have met him before, as I told you, and I would save +him. You know not what may happen in the Indian village, if you chance to +be away." + +"The Dove will have charge of him. She can be trusted." + +"And yet I would take him with me to Montreal. He will give his parole that +he will not attempt to escape on the way. It is the custom for prisoners to +be ransomed. I will send to you from Montreal five golden louis for him." + +Langlade shook his head. + +"Ten golden louis," said Father Drouillard. + +"Nay, Father, it is no use," said the partisan. "I cannot be tempted to +exchange him for money." + +"Fifteen golden louis, Charles Langlade, though I may have to borrow from +the funds of the Church to send them to you." + +"I respect your motive, Father, but 'tis impossible. This is a prisoner of +great value and I must use him as a pawn in the game of war. He was taken +fairly and I cannot give him up." + +Again Father Drouillard sighed, and this time heavily. + +"I would save you from captivity, Mr. Lennox," he said, "but, as you see, I +cannot." + +Robert was much moved. + +"I thank you, Father Drouillard, for your kind intentions," he said. "It +may be that some day I shall have a chance to repay them. Meanwhile, I do +not dread the coming hospitality of Madame Langlade." + +The priest shook his head sadly. + +"It is a great and terrible war," he said, "though I cannot doubt that +France will prevail, but I fear for you, my son, a captive in the vast +wilderness. Although you are an enemy and a heretic I have only good +feeling for you, and I know that the great Chevalier, St. Luc, also regards +you with favor." + +"Know you anything of St. Luc?" asked Robert eagerly. + +"Only that the expedition he was to lead against Albany has turned back and +that he has gone to Canada to fight under the banner of Montcalm, when he +comes with the great leaders, De Levis, Bourlamaque and the others." + +"I thought I might meet him." + +"Not here, with Charles Langlade." + +The priest spent the night with them and in the morning, after giving them +his blessing, captors and captive alike, he departed on his long and +solitary journey to Montreal. + +"A good man," said Robert, as he watched his tall, thin figure disappear in +the surrounding forest. + +"Truly spoken," said the Owl. "I am little of a churchman myself, the +forest and the war trail please me better, but the priests are a great prop +to France in the New World. They carry with them the authority of His +Majesty, King Louis." + +A week later they reached a small Indian village on Lake Ontario where the +Owl at present made his abode, and in the largest lodge of which his +patient spouse, the Dove, was awaiting him. She was young, much taller than +the average Indian woman, and, in her barbaric fashion, quite handsome. But +her face was one of the keenest and most alert Robert had ever seen. All +the trained observation of countless ancestors seemed stored in her and now +he understood why Langlade had boasted so often and so warmly of her skill +as a guard. She regarded him with a cold eye as she listened attentively to +her husband's instructions, and, for the remainder of that winter and +afterward, she obeyed them with a thoroughness beyond criticism. + +The village included perhaps four hundred souls, of whom about a hundred +were warriors. Langlade was king and Madame Langlade, otherwise the Dove, +was queen, the two ruling with absolute sovereignty, their authority due to +their superior intelligence and will and to the service they rendered to +the little state, because a state it was, organized completely in all its +parts, although composed of only a few hundred human beings. In the bitter +weather that came again, Langlade directed the hunting in the adjacent +forest and the fishing conducted on the great lake. He also made presents +from time to time of gorgeous beads or of huge red or yellow blankets that +had been sent from Montreal. Robert could not keep from admiring his +diplomacy and tact, and now he understood more thoroughly than ever how the +French partisans made themselves such favorites with the wild Indians. + +His own position in the village was tentative. Langlade still seemed +uncertain what to do with him, and held him meanwhile for a possible reward +of great value. He was never allowed to leave the cluster of tepees for the +forest, except with the warriors, but he took part in the fishing on the +lake, being a willing worker there, because idleness grew terribly irksome, +and, when he had nothing to do, he chafed over his long captivity. He slept +in a small tepee built against that of Monsieur and Madame Langlade, and +from which there was no egress save through theirs. + +He was enclosed only within walls of skin, and he believed that he might +have broken a way through them, but he felt that the eyes of the Dove were +always on him. He even had the impression that she was watching him while +he slept, and sometimes he dreamed that she was fanged and clawed like a +tigress. + +Langlade went away once, being gone a long time, and while he was absent +the Dove redoubled her watchfulness. Robert's singular impression that her +eyes were always on him was strengthened, and these eyes were increased to +the hundred of Argus and more. It became so oppressive that he was always +eager to go out with the warriors in their canoes for the fishing. On Lake +Ontario he was sure the eyes of the Dove could not reach him, but the work +was arduous and often perilous. The great lake was not to be treated +lightly. Often it took toll of the Indians who lived around its shores. +Winter storms came up suddenly, the waves rolled like those of the sea, +freezing spray dashed over them, and it required a supreme exertion of +both skill and strength to keep the light canoes from being swamped. + +Yet Robert was always happier on water than on land. On shore, confined +closely and guarded zealously, his imaginative temperament suffered and he +became moody and depressed, but on the lakes, although still a captive, he +felt the winds of freedom. When the storms came and the icy blasts swept +down upon them he responded, body and soul. Relief and freedom were to be +found in the struggle with the elements and he always went back to shore +refreshed and stronger of spirit and flesh. He also had a feeling that +Tayoga might come by way of the lake, and when he was with the little +Indian fleet he invariably watched the watery horizon for a lone canoe, but +he never saw any. + +The absence of news from his friends, and from the world to which they +belonged, was the most terrible burden of all. If the Indians had news they +told him none. He seemed to have vanished completely. But, however numerous +may have been his moments of despondency, he was not made of the stuff that +yields. The flexible steel always rebounded. He took thorough care of his +health and strength. In his close little tepee he flexed and tensed his +muscles and went through physical exercises every night and morning, but it +was on the lake in the fishing, where the Indians grew to recognize his +help, that he achieved most. Fighting the winds, the water and the cold, he +felt his muscles harden and his chest enlarge, and he would say to himself +that when the spring came and he escaped he would be more fit for the life +of a free forest runner than he had ever been before. Langlade, when he +returned, took notice of his increased size and strength and did not +withhold approval. + +"I like any prisoner of mine to flourish," he laughed. "The more superior +you become the greater will be the reward for me when I dispose of you. You +have found the Dove all I promised you she should be, haven't you, Monsieur +Lennox?" + +"All and more," replied Robert. "Although she may be out of sight I feel +that her eyes are always on me, and this is true of the night as well as +the day." + +"A great woman, the Dove, and a wife to whom I give all credit. If it +should come into the king's mind to call me to Versailles and bestow upon +me some kind of an accolade perhaps Madame Langlade would not feel at home +in the great palace nor at the Grand Trianon, nor even at the Little +Trianon, and maybe I wouldn't either. But since no such idea will enter His +Majesty's mind, and I have no desire to leave the great forests, the Dove +is a perfect wife for me. She is the true wilderness helpmate, accomplished +in all the arts of the life I live and love, and with the eye and soul of a +warrior. I repeat, young Monsieur Lennox, where could I find a wife more +really sublime?" + +"Nowhere, Monsieur Langlade. The more I see you two together the more +nearly I think you are perfectly matched." + +The Owl seemed pleased with the recognition of his marital felicity, and +grew gracious, dropping some crumbs of information for Robert. He had been +to Montreal and the arrival of the great soldier, the Marquis de Montcalm, +with fresh generals and fresh troops from France, was expected daily at +Quebec. The English, although their fleets were larger, could not intercept +them, and it was now a certainty that the spring campaign would sweep over +Albany and almost to New York. He spoke with so much confidence, in truth +with such an absolute certainty, that Robert's heart sank and then came +back again with a quick rebound. + +After a winter that had seemed to the young captive an age, spring came +with a glorious blossoming and blooming. The wilderness burst into green +and the great lake shining in the sun became peaceful and friendly. Warm +winds blew out of the west and the blood flowed more swiftly in human +veins. But spring passed and summer came. Then Langlade announced that he +would depart with the best of the warriors, and that Robert would go with +him, although he refused absolutely to say where or for what purpose. + +Robert's joy was dimmed in nowise by his ignorance of his destination. He +had not found the remotest chance to escape while in the village, but it +might come on the march, and there was also a relief and pleasant +excitement in entering the wilderness again. He joyously made ready, the +Dove gave her lord and equal, not her master, a Spartan farewell, and the +formidable band, Robert in the center, plunged into the forest. + +When the great mass of green enclosed them he felt a mighty surge of hope. +His imaginative temperament was on fire. A chance for him would surely +come. Tayoga might be hidden in the thickets. Action brought renewed +courage. Langlade, who was watching him, smiled. + +"I read your mind, young Monsieur Lennox," he said. "Have I not told you +that I, Charles Langlade, have the perceptions? Do I not see and interpret +everything?" + +"Then what do you see and interpret now?" + +"A great hope in your heart that you will soon bid us farewell. You think +that when we are deep in the forest it will not be difficult to elude our +watch. And yet you could not escape when we were going through this same +forest to the village. Now why do you think it will be easier when you are +going through it again, but away?" + +"The Dove is not at the end of the march. Her eyes will no longer be upon +me." + +The Owl laughed deeply and heartily. + +"You're a lad of sense," he said, "when you lay such a tribute at the feet +of that incomparable woman, that model wife, that true helpmate in every +sense of the word. Why should you be anxious to leave us? I could have you +adopted into the tribe, and you know the ceremony of adoption is sacred +with the Indians. And let me whisper another little fact in your ear which +will surely move you. The Dove has a younger sister, so much like her that +they are twins in character if not in years. She will soon be of +marriageable age, and she shall be reserved for you. Think! Then you will +be my brother-in-law and the brother-in-law of the incomparable Dove." + +"No! No!" exclaimed Robert hastily. + +Now the laughter of the Owl was uncontrollable. His face writhed and his +sides shook. + +"A lad does not recognize his own good!" he exclaimed, "or is it +bashfulness? Nay, don't be afraid, young Monsieur Lennox! Perhaps I could +get the Dove to intercede for you!" + +Robert was forced to smile. + +"I thank you," he said, "but I am far from the marriageable age myself." + +"Then the Dove and I are not to have you for a brother-in-law?" said +Langlade. "You show little appreciation, young Monsieur Lennox, when it is +so easy for you to become a member of such an interesting family." + +Robert was confirmed in his belief that there was much of the wild man in +the Owl, who in many respects had become more Indian than the Indians. He +was a splendid trailer, a great hunter, and the hardships of the forest +were nothing to him. He read every sign of the wilderness and yet he +retained all that was French also, lightness of manner, gayety, quick wit +and a politeness that never failed. It is likely that the courage and +tenacity of the French leaders were never shown to better advantage than in +the long fight they made for dominion in North America. Despite the fact +that he was an enemy, and his belief that Langlade could be ruthless, on +occasion, Robert was compelled to like him. + +The journey, the destination yet unknown to him, was long, but it was not +tedious to the young prisoner. He watched the summer progress and the +colors deepen and he was cheered continually by the hope of escape, a fact +that Langlade recognized and upon which he commented in a detached manner, +from time to time. Now and then the leader himself went ahead with a scout +or two and one morning he said to Robert: + +"I saw something in the forest last night." + +"The forest contains much," said Robert. + +"But this was of especial interest to you. It was the trace of a footstep, +and I am convinced it was made by your friend Tayoga, the Onondaga. +Doubtless he is seeking to effect your escape." + +Robert's heart gave a leap, and there was a new light in his eyes, of which +the shrewd Owl took notice. + +"I have heard of the surpassing skill of the Onondaga," he continued, "but +I, Charles Langlade, have skill of my own. It will be some time before we +arrive at the place to which we are going, and I lay you a wager that +Tayoga does not rescue you." + +"I have no money, Monsieur Langlade," said Robert, "and if I had I could +not accept a wager upon such a subject." + +"Then we'll let it be mental, wholly. My skill is matched against the +combined knowledge of Tayoga and yourself. He'll never be able, no matter +how dark the night, to get near our camp and communicate with you." + +Although Robert hoped and listened often in the dusk for the sound of a +signal from Tayoga, Langlade made good his boast. The two were able to +establish no communication. It was soon proved that he was in the forest +near them, one of the warriors even catching a sufficient glimpse of his +form for a shot, which, however, went wild. The Onondaga did not reply, +and, despite the impossibility of reaching him, Robert was cheered by the +knowledge that he was near. He had a faithful and powerful friend who would +help him some day, be it soon or late. + +The summer was well advanced when Langlade announced that their journey was +done. + +"Before night," he said triumphantly, "we will be in the camp of the +Marquis de Montcalm, and we will meet the great soldier himself. I, Charles +Langlade, told you that it would be so, and it is so." + +"What, Montcalm near?" exclaimed Robert, aflame with interest. + +"Look at the sky above the tops of those trees in the east and you will see +a smudge of smoke, beneath which stand the tents of the French army." + +"The French army here! And what is it doing in the wilderness?" + +"That, young Monsieur Lennox, rests on the knees of the gods. I have some +curiosity on the subject myself." + +An hour or two later they came within sight of the French camp, and Robert +saw that it was a numerous and powerful force for time and place. The tents +stood in rows, and soldiers, both French and Canadian, were everywhere, +while many Indian warriors were on the outskirts. A large white marquee +near the center he was sure was that of the commander-in-chief, and he was +eager to see at once the famous Montcalm, of whom he was hearing so much. +But to his intense disappointment, Langlade went into camp with the +Indians. + +"The Marquis de Montcalm is a great man," he said, "the commander-in-chief +of all the forces of His Majesty, King Louis, in North America, and even I, +Charles Langlade, will not approach him without ceremony. We will rest in +the edge of the forest, and when he hears that I have come he will send for +me, because he will want to know many things which none other can tell him. +And it may be, young Monsieur Lennox, that, in time, he will wish to see +you also." + +So Robert waited with as much patience as he could muster, although he +slept but little that night, the noises in the great French camp and his +own curiosity keeping him awake. What was Montcalm doing so far from the +chief seats of the French power in Canada, and did the English and +Americans know that he was here? + +Curiously enough he had little apprehension for himself, it was rather a +feeling of joy that he had returned to the world of great affairs. Soon he +would know what had been occurring during the long winter when he was +buried in an Indian village, and he might even hear of Willet. Toward dawn +he slept a little, and after daylight he was awakened by Langlade who was +as assured and talkative as usual. + +"It may be, my gallant young prisoner," he said, ruffling and strutting, +"that I am about to lose you, but if it is so it will be for value +received. I, Charles Langlade, have seen the great Marquis de Montcalm, but +it was an equal speaking to an equal. It was last night in his grand +marquee, where he sat surrounded by his trusted lieutenants, De Levis, St. +Luc, Bourlamaque, Coulon de Villiers and the others. But I was not daunted +at all. I repeat that it was an equal speaking to an equal, and the Marquis +was pleased to commend me for the work I have already done for France." + +"And St. Luc was there?" + +"He was. The finest figure of them all. A brave and generous man and a +great leader. He stood at the right hand of the Marquis de Montcalm, while +I talked and he listened with attention, because the Chevalier de St. Luc +is always willing to learn from others. No false pride about him! And the +Marquis de Montcalm is like him. I gave the commander-in-chief much +excellent advice which he accepted with gratitude, and in return for you, +whom he expects to put to use, he has raised me in rank, and has extended +my authority over the western tribes. Ah, I knew that you were a prize when +I captured you, and I was wise to save you as a pawn." + +"How can I be of any value to the Marquis de Montcalm?" + +"That is to be seen. He knows his own plans best. You are to come with me +at once into his presence." + +Robert was immediately in a great stir. He straightened out, and, with his +hands, brushed his own clothing, smoothed his hair, intending, with his +usual desire for neatness, to make the best possible appearance before the +French leader. + +After breakfast Langlade took him to the great marquee in which Montcalm +sat, as the morning was cool, and when their names had been taken in a +young officer announced that they might enter, the officer, to Robert's +great surprise, being none other than De Galissonniere, who showed equal +amazement at meeting him there. The Frenchman gave him a hearty grasp of +the hand in English fashion, but they did not have time to say anything. + +Robert, walking by the side of Langlade, entered the great tent with some +trepidation, and beheld a swarthy man of middle years, in the uniform of a +general of France, giving orders to two officers who stood respectfully at +attention. Neither of the officers was St. Luc, nor were they among those +whom Robert had seen at Quebec. He surmised, however, that they were De +Levis and Bourlamaque, and he learned soon that he was right. Langlade +paused until Montcalm was ready to speak to him, and Robert stood in +silence at his side. Montcalm finished what he had to say and turned his +eyes upon the young prisoner. His countenance was mild, but Robert felt +that his gaze was searching. + +"And this, Captain Langlade," he said, "is the youth of whom you were +speaking?" + +So the Owl had been made a captain, and the promotion had been one of his +rewards. Robert was not sorry. + +"It is the one, sir," replied Langlade, "young Monsieur Robert Lennox. He +has been a prisoner in my village all the winter, and he has as friends +some of the most powerful people in the British Colonies." + +Montcalm continued to gaze at Robert as if he would read his soul. + +"Sit down, Mr. Lennox," he said, not unkindly, motioning him to a little +stool. Robert took the indicated seat and so quick is youth to warm to +courtesy that he felt respect and even liking for the Marquis, official and +able enemy though he knew him to be. De Levis and Bourlamaque also were +watching him with alert gaze, but they said nothing. + +"I hear," continued Montcalm, with a slight smile, "that you have not +suffered in Captain Langlade's village, and that you have adapted yourself +well to wild life." + +"I've had much experience with the wilderness," said Robert. "Most of my +years have been passed there, and it was easy for me to live as Captain +Langlade lived. I've no complaint to make of his treatment, though I will +say that he has guarded me well." + +Montcalm laughed. + +"It agrees with Captain Langlade's own account," he said. "I suppose that +one must be born, or at least pass his youth in it, to get the way of this +vast wilderness. We of old Europe, where everything has been ruled and +measured for many centuries, can have no conception of it until we see it, +and even then we do not understand it. Although with an army about me I +feel lost in so much forest. But enough of that. It is of yourself and not +of myself that I wish to speak. I have heard good reports of you from one +of my own officers, who, though he has been opposed to you many times, +nevertheless likes you." + +"The Chevalier de St. Luc!" + +"Aye, the Chevalier de St. Luc. I know, also, that you have been in the +councils of some of the Colonial leaders. You are a friend of Sir William +Johnson." + +"Colonel William Johnson?" + +"No, Sir William Johnson. In reward for the affair at Lake George, in which +our Dieskau was unfortunate, he has been made a baronet by the British +king." + +"I am glad." + +"And doubtless Sir William is also. You know him well, I understand, and he +was still at the lake when you left on the journey that led to your +capture." + +Robert was silent. + +"I have not asked you to answer," continued Montcalm, "but I assume that it +is so. His army, although it was victorious in the battle there, did not +advance. There was much disagreement among the governors of the British +Colonies. The provinces could not be induced to act together?" + +Robert was still silent. + +"Again I say I am not asking you to answer, but your silence confirms the +truth of our reports." + +Robert flushed, and a warm reply trembled on his lips, but he restrained +the words. A swift smile passed over the dark face of Montcalm. + +"You see, Mr. Lennox," he continued, "I am not asking you to say anything, +but there was great disappointment among the British Colonials because +there was no advance after the battle at the lake. It has also cooled the +enthusiasm of the Iroquois, many of whom have gone home and who perhaps +will take no further part in the war as the allies of the English." + +Again Robert flushed and again he bit back the hot reply. He looked +uneasily at De Levis and Bourlamaque, but their faces expressed nothing. +Then Montcalm suddenly changed the subject. + +"I am going to make you a very remarkable offer," he said, "and do not +think for a moment it is going to imply any change of colors on your part, +or the least suspicion of treason, which I could not ask of the gentleman +you obviously are. I request of you your parole, your word of honor that +you will not take any further part in this war." + +"I can't do it! As I have often told Captain Langlade, I intend to escape." + +"That is impossible. If you could not do so when you were in Captain +Langlade's village, you have no chance at all now that you are surrounded +by an army. But since you will not give me your parole it will become +necessary to keep you as a prisoner of war, and to send you to a safe +place." + +"Many of our people in this and former wars with the French have been held +prisoners in the Province of Quebec. I know somewhat of the city of Quebec, +and it is not wholly an unpleasant place." + +"I did not have Quebec, either the province or the city, in mind so far as +concerns you, Mr. Lennox. Three of our ships are to return shortly to +France, and, not wishing to give us your parole, you are to go to France." + +"To France?" + +"Yes, to France. Where else? And you should rejoice. It is a fair and +glorious land. And I have heard there is a spirit in you, Mr. Lennox, which +is almost French, a kindred touch, a Gallic salt and savor, so to speak." + +"I'm wholly American and British." + +"Perhaps there are others who know you better than you know yourself. I +repeat, there is about you a French finish. Why should you deny it? You +should be proud of it. We are the oldest of the great civilized nations, +and the first in culture. Your stay in France should be very pleasant. You +can drink there at the fountain of ancient culture and glory. The +wilderness is magnificent in its way, but high civilization is magnificent +also in its own and another way. You can see Paris, the city of light, the +center of the world, and you can behold the splendid court of His Majesty, +King Louis. That should appeal to a young man of taste and discernment." + +Robert felt a thrill and his pulses leaped, but the thrill lasted only a +moment. It was clearly impossible that he should go even as a prisoner, +though a willing one, to France, and he did not see any reason why the +Marquis de Montcalm should take any personal interest in his future. But +responding invariably to the temperature about him his manner was now as +polite as that of the French general. + +"You have my thanks, sir," he said, "for the kindly way in which you offer +to treat a prisoner, but it is impossible for me to go to France, unless +you should choose to send me there by sheer force." + +The slight smile passed again over the face of the Marquis de Montcalm. + +"I fancied, young sir," he said, "that this would be your answer, and, +being what it is, I cannot say that it has lowered you aught in my esteem. +For the present, you abide with us." + +Robert bowed. Montcalm inspired in him a certain liking, and a decided +respect. Then, still under the escort of Langlade, he withdrew. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +THE SIGN OF THE BEAR + +Robert returned with Langlade to the partisan's camp at the edge of the +forest adjoining that of the main French army, where the Indian warriors +had lighted fires and were cooking steaks of the deer. He was disposed to +be silent, but Langlade as usual chattered volubly, discoursing of French +might and glory, but saying nothing that would indicate to his prisoner the +meaning of the present military array in the forest. + +Robert did not hear more than half of the Owl's words, because he was +absorbed in those of Montcalm, which still lingered in his mind. Why should +the Marquis wish to send him to France, and to have him treated, when he +was there, more as a guest than as a prisoner? Think as he would he could +find no answer to the question, but the Owl evidently had been impressed by +his reception from Montcalm, as he treated him now with distinguished +courtesy. He also seemed particularly anxious to have the good opinion of +the lad who had been so long his prisoner. + +"Have I been harsh to you?" he asked with a trace of anxiety in his tone. +"Have I not always borne myself toward you as if you were an important +prisoner of war? It is true I set the Dove as an invincible sentinel over +you, but as a good soldier and loyal son of France I could do no less. Now, +I ask you, Monsieur Robert Lennox, have not I, Charles Langlade, conducted +myself as a fair and considerate enemy?" + +"If I were to escape and be captured again, Captain Langlade, it is my +sincere wish that you should be my captor the second time, even as you were +the first." + +The Owl was gratified, visibly and much, and then he announced a visitor. +Robert sprang to his feet as he saw St. Luc approaching, and his heart +throbbed as always when he was in the presence of this man. The chevalier +was in a splendid uniform of white and silver unstained by the forest. His +thick, fair hair was clubbed in a queue and powdered neatly, and a small +sword, gold hilted, hung at his belt. He was the finest and most gallant +figure that Robert had yet seen in the wilderness, the very spirit and +essence of that brave and romantic France with which England and her +colonies were fighting a duel to the death. And yet St. Luc always seemed +to him too the soul of knightly chivalry, one to whom it was impossible for +him to bear any hostility that was not merely official. His own hand went +forward to meet the extended hand of the chevalier. + +"We seem destined to meet many times, Mr. Lennox," said St. Luc, "in +battle, and even under more pleasant conditions. I had heard that you were +the prisoner of our great forest ranger, Captain Langlade, and that you +would be received by our commander-in-chief, the Marquis de Montcalm." + +"He made me a most extraordinary offer, that I go as a prisoner of war to +Paris, but almost in the state of a guest." + +"And you thought fit to decline, which was unwise in you, though to be +expected of a lad of spirit. Sit down, Mr. Lennox, and we can have our +little talk in ease and comfort. It may be that I have something to do with +the proposition of the Marquis de Montcalm. Why not reconsider it and go to +France? England is bound to lose the war in America. We have the energy and +the knowledge. The Indian tribes are on our side. Even the powerful +Hodenosaunee may come over to us in time, and at the worst it will become +neutral. As a prisoner in France you will have no share in defeat, but +perhaps that does not appeal to you." + +"It does not, but I thank you, Chevalier de St. Luc, for your many +kindnesses to me, although I don't understand them. Your solicitude for my +welfare cannot but awake my gratitude, but it has been more than once a +source of wonderment in my mind." + +"Because you are a young and gallant enemy whom I would not see come to +harm." + +Robert felt, however, that the chevalier was not stating the true reason, +and he felt also with equal force that he would keep secret in the face of +all questions, direct or indirect, the motives impelling him. St. Luc asked +him about his life in the Indian village with Langlade, and then came back +presently to Paris and France, which he described more vividly than even +Montcalm had done. He seemed to know the very qualities that would appeal +most to Robert, and, despite himself, the lad felt his heart leap more than +once. Paris appeared in deeper and more glowing colors than ever as the +city of light and soul, but he was firm in his resolution not to go there +as a prisoner, if choice should be left to him. St. Luc himself became +enamored of his own words as he spoke. His eyes glowed, and his tone took +on great warmth and enthusiasm. But presently he ceased and when he laughed +a little his laugh showed a slight tone of disappointment. + +"I do not move you, Mr. Lennox," he said. "I can see by your eye that your +will is hardening against my words, and yet I could wish that you would +listen to me. You will believe me when I say I mean you only good." + +"I am wholly sure of it, Monsieur de St. Luc," said Robert, trying to speak +lightly, "but a long while ago I formed a plan to escape, and if I should +go to France it would interfere with it seriously. It would not be so easy +to leave Paris, and come back to the province of New York, and while I am +in North America it is always possible. I informed Captain Langlade that I +meant to escape, and now I repeat it to you." + +The chevalier laughed. + +"Time will tell," he said. "Your ambition to leave is a proper and +patriotic motive on your part, and I should be the last to accuse it. But +'tis not easy of accomplishment. I betray no military secret when I say +our army marches quickly and you will, of necessity, march with us. Captain +Langlade will still keep a vigilant watch over you, and you may be in +readiness to depart tomorrow morning." + +Robert slept that night in Langlade's little section of the camp, but, +before he went to sleep, he spent much time wondering which way they would +go when the dawn came. Evidently no attack upon Albany was meant, as they +were too far west for such a venture, and he had reason to believe, also, +that with the coming of spring the Colonials would be in such posture of +defense that Montcalm himself would hesitate at such a task. He made +another attempt to draw the information from Langlade, but failed utterly. +Garrulous as he was otherwise, the French partisan would give no hint of +his general's plans. Yet he and his warriors made obvious preparations for +battle, and, before Robert went to sleep, a gigantic figure stalked into +the firelight and regarded him with a grim gaze. The young prisoner's back +was turned at the moment, but he seemed to feel that fierce look, beating +like a wind upon his head, and, turning around, he looked full into the +eyes of Tandakora. + +The huge Ojibway was more huge than ever. Robert was convinced that he was +the largest man he had ever seen, not only the tallest, but the broadest, +and the heaviest, and his very lack of clothing--he wore only a belt, +breech cloth, leggings and moccasins--seemed to increase his size. His vast +shoulders, chest and arms were covered with paint, and the scars of old +wounds, the whole giving to him the appearance of some primeval giant, +sinister and monstrous. He carried a fine, new rifle of French make and two +double barreled pistols; a tomahawk and knife swung from his belt. + +Robert, nevertheless, met that full gaze firmly. He shut from his mind what +he might have had to suffer from Tandakora had the Ojibway held him a +captive in the forest, but here he was not Tandakora's prisoner, and he was +in the midst of the French army. Centering all his will and soul into the +effort he stared straight into the evil eyes of the Indian, until those of +his antagonist were turned away. + +"The Owl has a prisoner whom I know," said Tandakora to Langlade. + +"Aye, a sprightly lad," replied the partisan. "I took him before the winter +came, and I've been holding him at our village on Lake Ontario." + +"It was he who, with the Onondaga, Tayoga, and the hunter, Willet, whom we +call the Great Bear, carried the letters from Corlear at New York to +Onontio at Quebec. The nations of the Hodenosaunee call him Dagaeoga, and +he is a danger to us. I would buy him from you. I will send to you for him +fifty of the finest buffalo robes taken from the great western plains." + +"Not for fifty buffalo robes, Tandakora, no matter how fine they are." + +"Ten packs of the finest beaver skins, fifty in each pack." + +"It's no use to bid for him, Tandakora. I don't sell captives. Moreover, he +has passed out of my hands. I have had my reward for him. His fate rests +now with the Chevalier de St. Luc and the Marquis de Montcalm." + +The Ojibway's face showed foiled malice. "It is a snake that the Owl warms +in his bosom," he said, and strode away. The partisan followed him with +observant eyes. + +"It is evident that the Ojibway chief bears you no love, young Monsieur +Lennox," he said. "Now that you have served the purposes for which I held +you I wish you no harm, and so I bid you beware of Tandakora." + +"Your advice is good and well meant, and for it I thank you," said Robert; +"but I've known Tandakora a long time. My friends and I have met him in +several encounters and we've not had the worst of them." + +"I judged so by his manner. All the more reason then why you should beware +of him. I repeat the warning." + +Robert was not bound, and he was permitted to roll himself in a blanket and +sleep with his feet to the fire, an Indian on either side of him. Save +where a space had been cleared for the French army, the primeval forest, +heavy in the foliage of early spring, was all about them, and the wind that +sang through the leaves united with the murmuring of a creek, beside which +Langlade had pitched his camp. + +Slumber was slow in coming to Robert. Too much had occurred for his +faculties to slip away at once into oblivion. His interview with Montcalm, +his meeting with St. Luc, and the appearance of Tandakora at the camp +fire, stirred him mightily. Events were certainly marching, and, while he +tried to coax slumber to come, he listened to the noises of the camp and +the forest. Where the French tents were spread, men were softly singing +songs of their ancient land, and beyond them sentinels in neat uniforms +were walking back and forth among trees that had never beheld uniforms +before. + +The sounds sank gradually, but Robert did not yet sleep. He found a +peculiar sort of interest in detaching these murmurs from one another, the +stamp of impatient horses, the moving of arms, the last dying, notes of a +song, the whisper of the creek's waters, and then, plainly separate from +the others, he heard a faint, unmistakable swish, a noise that he knew, +that of an arrow flying through the air. Langlade knew it too, and sprang +up with an angry cry. + +"Now, has some warrior got hold of whiskey to indulge in this madness?" he +exclaimed. + +The faint swish came a second time, and Robert, who had risen to his feet, +saw two arrows standing upright in the earth not twenty feet away. Langlade +saw them also and swore. + +"They must have come in a wide curve overhead," he said, "or they would not +be standing almost straight up in the earth, and that does not seem like +the madness of liquor." + +He looked suspiciously at the forest, in which Indian sentinels had been +posted, but which, nevertheless, was so dark that a cunning form might +pass there unseen. + +"There is more in this than meets the eye," muttered the partisan, and +drawing the arrows from the earth he examined them by the light of the +fire. Robert stood by, silent, but his eyes fell on fresh marks with a +knife, near the barb on each weapon, and the great pulse in his throat +leaped. The yellow flame threw out in distinct relief what the knife had +cut there, and he saw on each arrow the rude but unmistakable outline of a +bear. + +The Owl might not determine the meaning of the picture, but the captive +comprehended it at once. It was the pride of Tayoga that he was of the clan +of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the +Hodenosaunee, and here upon the arrows was his totem or sign of the Bear. +It was a message and Robert knew that it was meant for him. Had ever a man +a more faithful comrade? The Onondaga was still following in the hope of +making a rescue, and he would follow as long as Robert was living. Once +more the young prisoner's hopes of escape rose to the zenith. + +"Now what do these marks mean?" said the partisan, looking at the arrows +suspiciously. + +"It was merely an intoxicated warrior shooting at the moon," replied +Robert, innocently, "and the cuts signify nothing." + +"I'm not so sure of that. I've lived long enough among the Indians to know +they don't fire away good arrows merely for bravado, and these are planted +so close together it must be some sort of a signal. It may have been +intended for you." + +Robert was silent, and the partisan did not ask him any further questions, +but, being much disturbed, sent into the forest scouts, who returned +presently, unable to find anything. + +"It may or it may not have been a message," he said, speaking to Robert, in +his usual garrulous fashion, "but I still incline to the opinion that it +was, though I may never know what the message meant, but I, Charles +Langlade, have not been called the Owl for nothing. If it refers to you +then your chance of escape has not increased. I hold you merely for +tonight, but I hold you tight and fast. Tomorrow my responsibility ceases, +and you march in the middle of Montcalm's army." + +Robert made no reply, but he was in wonderful spirits, and his elation +endured. His senses, in truth, were so soothed by the visible evidence that +his comrade was near that he fell asleep very soon and had no dreams. The +French and Indian army began its march early the next morning, and Robert +found himself with about a dozen other prisoners, settlers who had been +swept up in its advance. They had been surprised in their cabins, or their +fields, newly cleared, and could tell him nothing, but he noticed that the +march was west. + +He believed they were not far from Lake Ontario, and he had no doubt that +Montcalm had prepared some fell stroke. His mind settled at last upon +Oswego, where the Anglo-American forces had a post supposed to be strong, +and he was smitten with a fierce and commanding desire to escape and take a +warning. But he was compelled to eat his heart out without result. With +French and Indians all about him he had not the remotest chance and, +helpless, he was compelled to watch the Marquis de Montcalm march to what +he felt was going to be a French triumph. + +Swarms of Indian scouts and skirmishers preceded the army and Canadian +axmen cut a way for the artillery, but to Robert's great amazement these +operations lasted only a short time. Almost before he could realize it they +had emerged from the deep woods and he looked again upon the vast, shining +reaches of Lake Ontario. Then he learned for the first time that Montcalm's +army had come mostly in boats and in detachments, and was now united for +attack. As he had surmised, Oswego, which the English and Americans had +intended to be a great stronghold and rallying place in the west, was the +menaced position. + +Robert from a hill saw three forts before the French force, the largest +standing upon a plateau of considerable elevation on the east bank of the +river, which there flowed into the lake. It was shaped like a star, and the +fortifications consisted of trunks of trees, sharpened at the ends, driven +deep into the ground, and set as close together as possible. On the west +side of the river was another fort of stone and clay, and four hundred +yards beyond it was an unfinished stockade, so weak that its own garrison +had named it in derision Rascal Fort. Some flat boats and canoes lay in the +lake, and it was a man in one of these canoes who had been the first to +learn of the approach of Montcalm's army, so slender had been the +precautions taken by the officers in command of the forts. + +"We have come upon them almost as if we had dropped from the clouds," said +Langlade, exultingly, to Robert. "When they thought the Marquis de Montcalm +was in Montreal, lo! he was here! It is the French who are the great +leaders, the great soldiers and the great nation! Think you we would allow +ourselves to be surprised as Oswego has been?" + +Robert made no reply. His heart sank like a plummet in a pool. Already he +heard the crackling fire of musketry from the Indians who, sheltered in the +edge of the forest, were sending bullets against the stout logs of Fort +Ontario, but which could offer small resistance to cannon. And while the +sharpshooting went on, the French officers were planting the batteries, one +of four guns directly on the strand. The work was continued at a great pace +all through the night, and when Robert awoke from an uneasy sleep, in the +morning, he saw that the French had mounted twenty heavy cannon, which soon +poured showers of balls and grape and canister upon the log fort. He also +saw St. Luc among the guns directing their fire, while Tandakora's Indians +kept up an incessant and joyous yelling. + +The defenders of the stockade maintained a fire from rifles and several +small cannon, but it did little harm in the attacking army and Robert was +soldier enough to know that the log walls could not hold. While St. Luc +sent in the fire from the batteries faster and faster, a formidable force +of Canadians and Indians led by Rigaud, one of the best of Montcalm's +lieutenants, crossed the river, the men wading in the water up to their +waists, but holding their rifles over their heads. + +Tandakora was in this band, shouting savagely, and so was Langlade, but +Robert and the other prisoners, left under guard on the hill, saw +everything distinctly. They had no hope whatever that the chief fort, or +any of the forts, could hold out. Fragments of the logs were already flying +in the air as the stream of cannon balls beat upon them. The garrison made +a desperate resistance, but the cramped place was crowded with +women--settlers' wives--as well as men, the commander was killed, and at +last the white flag was hoisted on all the forts. + +Then the Indians, intoxicated with triumph and the strong liquors they had +seized, rushed in and began to ply the tomahawk. Montcalm, horrified, used +every effort to stop the incipient butchery, and St. Luc, Bourlamaque and, +in truth, all of his lieutenants, seconded him gallantly. Tandakora and his +men were compelled to return their tomahawks to their belts, and then the +French army was drawn around the captives, who numbered hundreds and +hundreds. + +It was another French and Indian victory like that over Braddock, though it +was not marked by the destruction of an army, and Robert's heart sank lower +and lower. He knew that it would be appalling news to Boston, to Albany and +to New York. The Marquis de Montcalm had justified the reputation that +preceded him. He had struck suddenly with lightning swiftness and with +terrible effect. Not only this blow, but its guarantee of others to come, +filled Robert's heart with fear for the future. + +The sun sank upon a rejoicing army. The Indians were still yelling and +dancing, and, though they were no longer allowed to sink their tomahawks in +the heads of their defenseless foes, they made imaginary strokes with them, +and shouted ferociously as they leaped and capered. + +Robert was on the strand near the shore of the lake, and wearied by his +long day of watching that which he wished least in the world to see, he sat +down on a sand heap, and put his head in his hands. Peculiarly sensitive to +atmosphere and surroundings, he was, for the moment, almost without hope. +But he knew, even when he was in despair, that his courage would come back. +It was one of the qualities of a temperament such as his that while he +might be in the depths at one hour he would be on the heights at the next. + +Several of the Indians, apparently those who had got at the liquor, were +careering up and down the sands, showing every sign of the blood madness +that often comes in the moment of triumph upon savage minds. Robert raised +his face from his hands and looked to see if Tandakora was among them, but +he caught no glimpse of the gigantic Ojibway. The French soldiers who were +guarding the prisoners gazed curiously at the demoniac figures. They were +of the battalions Bearn and Guienne and they had come newly from France. +Plunged suddenly into the wilderness, such sights as they now beheld +filled them with amazement, and often created a certain apprehension. They +were not so sure that their wild allies were just the kind of allies they +wanted. + +The sun set lower upon the savage scene, casting a dark glow over the +ruined forts, the troops, the leaping savages and the huddled prisoners. +One of the Indians danced and bounded more wildly than all the rest. He was +tall, but slim, apparently youthful, and he wore nothing except breech +cloth, leggings and moccasins, his naked body a miracle of savage painting. +Robert by and by watched him alone, fascinated by his extraordinary agility +and untiring enthusiasm. His figure seemed to shoot up in the air on +springs, and, with a glittering tomahawk, he slew and scalped an imaginary +foe over and over again, and every time the blade struck in the air he let +forth a shout that would have done credit to old Stentor himself. He ranged +up and down the beach, and presently, when he was close to Robert, he grew +more violent than ever, as if he were worked by some powerful mechanism +that would not let him rest. He had all the appearance of one who had gone +quite mad, and as he bounded near them, his tomahawk circling about his +head, the French guards shrank back, awed, and, at the same time, not +wishing to have any conflict with their red allies, who must be handled +with the greatest care. + +The man paused a moment before the young prisoner, whirled his tomahawk +about his head and uttered a ferocious shout. Robert looked straight into +the burning eyes, started violently and then became outwardly calm, though +every nerve and muscle in him was keyed to the utmost tension. "To the +lake!" exclaimed the Indian under his breath and then he danced toward the +water. + +Robert did not know at first what the words meant, and he waited in +indecision, but he saw that the care of the guards, owing to the confusion, +the fact that the battle was over, and the rejoicing for victory, was +relaxed. It would seem, too, that escape at such a time and place was +impossible, and that circumstance increased their inattention. + +The youth watched the dancing warrior, who was now moving toward the water, +over which the darkness of night had spread. But the lake was groaning with +a wind from the north, and several canoes near the beach were bobbing up +and down. The dancer paused a moment at the very edge of the water, and +looked back at Robert. Then he advanced into the waves themselves. + +All the young prisoner's indecision departed in a flash. The signal was +complete and he understood. He sprang violently against the French soldier +who stood nearest him and knocked him to the ground. Then with three or +four bounds he was at the water's edge, leaping into the canoe, just as +Tayoga settled himself into place there, and, seizing a paddle, pushed away +with powerful shoves. + +Robert nearly upset the canoe, but the Onondaga quickly made it regain its +balance, and then they were out on the lake under the kindly veil of the +night. The fugitive said nothing, he knew it was no time to speak, because +Tayoga's powerful back was bending with his mighty efforts and the bullets +were pattering in the water behind them. It was luck that the canoe was a +large one, partaking more of the nature of a boat, as Robert could remain +concealed on the bottom without tipping it over, while the Onondaga +continued to put all his nervous power and skill into his strokes. It was +equally fortunate, also, that the night had come and that the dusk was +thick, as it distracted yet further the hasty aim of the French and Indians +on shore. One bullet from a French rifle grazed Robert's shoulder, another +was deflected from Tayoga's paddle without striking it from his hand, but +in a few minutes they were beyond the range of those who stood on the bank, +although lead continued to fall in the water behind them. + +"Now you can rise, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, "and use the extra paddle +that I took the precaution to stow in the boat. Do not think because you +are an escaped prisoner that you are to rest in idleness and luxury, doing +no work while I do it all." + +"God bless you, Tayoga!" exclaimed Robert, in the fullness of his emotion. +"I'll work a week without stopping if you say so. I'm so glad to see you +that I'll do anything you say, and ask no questions. But I want to tell you +you're the most wonderful dancer and jumper in America!" + +"I danced and jumped so well, Dagaeoga, because your need made me do so. +Necessity gives a wonderful spring to the muscles. Behold how long and +strong you sweep with the paddle because the bullets of the enemy impel +you." + +"Which way are we going, Tayoga? What is your plan?" + +"Our aim at this moment, Dagaeoga, is the middle of the lake, because the +sons of Onontio and the warriors of Tandakora are all along the beach, and +would be waiting for us with rifle and tomahawk should we seek to land. +This is but a small boat in which we sit and it could not resist the waves +of a great storm, but at present it is far safer for us than any land near +by." + +"Of course you're right, Tayoga, you always are, but we're in the thick of +the darkness now, so you rest awhile and let me do the paddling alone." + +"It is a good thought, Dagaeoga, but keep straight in the direction we are +going. See that you do not paddle unconsciously in a curve. We shall +certainly be pursued, and although our foes cannot see us well in the dark, +some out of their number are likely to blunder upon us. If it comes to a +battle you will notice that I have an extra rifle and pistol for you lying +in the bottom of the canoe, and that I am something more than a supple +dancer and leaper." + +"You not only think of everything, Tayoga, but you also do it, which is +better. I shall take care to keep dead ahead." + +Robert in his turn bent forward and plied the paddle. He was not only +fresh, but the wonderful thrill of escape gave him a strength far beyond +the normal, and the great canoe fairly danced over the waters toward the +dusky deeps of the lake, while the Onondaga crouched at the other end of +the canoe, rifle in hand, intently watching the heavy pall of dusk behind +them. + +Their situation was still dangerous in the extreme, but the soul of Tayoga +swelled with triumph. Tandakora, the Ojibway, had rejoiced because he had +expected a great taking of scalps, but the purer spirit of the Onondaga +soared into the heights because he had saved his comrade of a thousand +dangers. He still saw faintly through the darkness the campfires of the +victorious French and Indian army, and he heard the swish of paddles, but +he did not yet discern any pursuing canoe. He detached his eyes for a +moment from the bank of dusk in front of him, and looked up at the skies. +The clouds and vapors kept him from seeing the great star upon which his +patron saint, Tododaho, sat, but he knew that he was there, and that he was +watching over him. He could not have achieved so much in the face of +uttermost peril and then fail in the lesser danger. + +The canoe glided swiftly on toward the wider reaches of the lake, and the +Onondaga never relaxed his watchfulness, for an instant. He was poised in +the canoe, every nerve and muscle ready to leap in a second into activity, +while his ears were strained for the sounds of paddles or oars. Now he +relied, as often before, more upon hearing than sight. Presently a sound +came, and it was that of oars. A boat parted the wall of dusk and he saw +that it contained both French and Indians, eight in all, the warriors +uttering a shout as they beheld the fugitive canoe. + +"Keep steadily on, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga. "I have my long barreled +rifle, and it will carry much farther than those of the foe. In another +minute it will tell them they had best stop, and if they will not obey its +voice then I will repeat the command with your rifle." + +Robert heard the sharp report of Tayoga's weapon, and then a cry from the +pursuing boat, saying the bullet had found its mark. + +"They still come, though in a hesitating manner," said Tayoga, "and I must +even give them a second notice." + +Now Robert heard the crack of the other rifle, and the answering cry, +signifying that its bullet, too, had sped home. + +"They stop now," said Tayoga. "They heed the double command." He rapidly +reloaded the rifles, and Robert, who saw an uncommonly thick bank of dusk +ahead, paddled directly into the heart of it. They paused there a few +moments and neither saw nor heard any pursuers. Tayoga put down the rifles, +now ready again for his deadly aim, and the two kept for a long time a +straight course toward the center of the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +THE FLIGHT OF THE TWO + +Tayoga, into whose hands Robert had entrusted himself with the uttermost +faith, at last said stop, and drawing the paddles into the canoe they took +long, deep breaths of relief. Around them was a world of waters, silver +under the moon and stars now piercing the dusk, and the Onondaga could see +the vast star on which sat the mighty chieftain who had gone away four +hundred years ago to eternal life. + +"O Tododaho," he murmured, "thou hast guarded us well." + +"Where do you think we are, Tayoga?" asked Robert. + +"Perhaps twenty miles from land," replied the Onondaga, "and the farther +the better." + +"True, Tayoga. Never before did I see a big lake look so kindly. If it +didn't require so much effort I'd like to go to the very center of it and +stay there for a week." + +"Even as it is, Dagaeoga, we will wait here a while and take the long rest +we need." + +"And while we're doing nothing but swing in our great canoe, Tayoga, I want +to thank you for all you've done for me. I'd been a prisoner much longer +than I wished." + +"It but repays my debt, Dagaeoga. You will recall that you helped to save +me from the hands of Tandakora when he was going to burn me at the stake. +My imprisonment was short, but I have been in the forest the whole winter +and spring seeking to take you from Langlade." + +"All of which goes to show, Tayoga, that we must allow only one of us to be +captured at a time. The other must go free in order to rescue the one +taken." + +Although Robert's tone was light, his feeling was far from frivolous, but +he had been at extreme tension so long that he was compelled to seek +relief. + +"How did you manage it, Tayoga?" he asked. + +"In the confusion of the attack on the forts and the rejoicing that +followed it was easy," replied the Onondaga. "When so many others were +dancing and leaping it attracted no attention for me to dance and leap +also, and I selected, without interference, the boat, the extra paddle, +weapons and ammunition that I wished. Areskoui and Tododaho did the rest. +Do you feel stronger now, Dagaeoga?" + +"Aye, I'm still able to handle the paddle. I suppose we'd better seek a +landing. We can't stay out in the lake forever. Tayoga, you've taken the +part of Providence itself. Now did it occur to you in your infinite wisdom, +while you were storing paddles, weapons and ammunition in this boat, to +store food also?" + +The Onondaga's smile was wide and satisfying. + +"I thought of that, too, Dagaeoga," he replied, "because I knew our +journey, if we should be so fortunate as to have a journey, would take us +out on the lake, and I knew, also, that no matter how many hardships and +dangers Dagaeoga might pass through, the time would come when he would be +hungry. It is always so with Dagaeoga." + +He took a heavy knapsack from the bottom of the canoe and opened it. + +"It is a French knapsack," he said, "and it contains both bread and meat, +which we will enjoy." + +They ate in great content, and their spirits rose to an extraordinary +degree, though Tayoga regretted the absence of clothing which his disguise +had made necessary. Having been educated with white lads, and having +associated with white people so much, he was usually clad as completely as +they, either in their fashion or in his own full Indian costume. + +"My infinite wisdom was not so infinite that it told me to take a blanket," +he said, "and the wind coming down from the Canadian shore is growing +cold." + +"I'm surprised to hear you speak of such trifles as that, Tayoga, when +we've been dealing with affairs of life and death." + +"We are cold or we are warm, Dagaeoga, and peril and suffering do not alter +it. But lo! the wind is bringing the great mists with it, and we will +escape in them." + +They turned the canoe toward a point far to the east of the Indian camp and +began to paddle, not hastily but with long, slow, easy strokes that sent +the canoe over the water at a great rate. The fogs and vapors were thick +and close about them, but Tayoga knew the direction. Robert asked him if he +had heard of Willet, and the Onondaga said he had not seen him, but he had +learned from a Mohawk runner that the Great Bear had reached Waraiyageh +with the news of St. Luc's prospective advance, and Tayoga had also +contrived to get news through to him that he was lying in the forest, +waiting a chance to effect the rescue of Robert. + +Toward morning they landed on a shore, clothed in deep and primeval forest, +and with reluctance abandoned their canoe. + +"It is an Abenaki craft," said Tayoga. "It is made well, it has served us +well, and we will treat it well." + +Instead of leaving it on the lake to the mercy of storms they drew it into +some bushes at the mouth of a small creek, where it would stay securely, +and probably serve some day some chance traveler. Then they plunged into +the deep forest, but when they saw a smoke Robert remained hidden while +Tayoga went on, but with the intention of returning. + +The Onondaga was quite sure the smoke indicated the presence of a small +village and his quest was for clothes. + +"Let Dagaeoga rest in peace here in the thicket," he said, "and when I come +back I shall be clad as a man. Have no fears for me. I will not enter the +village Until after dark." + +He glided away without noise, and Robert, having supreme confidence in him, +lay down among the bushes, which were so dense that the keenest eyes could +not have seen him ten feet away. His frame was relaxed so thoroughly after +his immense exertions and he felt such utter thankfulness at his escape +that he soon fell into a deep slumber rather than sleep, and when he awoke +the dark had come, bringing with it Tayoga. + +"Lo, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, in a tone of intense satisfaction, "I +have done well. It is not pleasant to me to take the property of others, +but in this case what I have seized must have been captured from the +English. No watch was kept in the village, as they had heard of their great +victory and the warriors were away. I secured three splendid blankets, two +of green and one of brown. Since you have a coat, Dagaeoga, you can have +one green blanket and I will take the other two, one to wear and the other +to sleep in. I also took away more powder and lead, and as I have my bullet +molds we can increase our ammunition when we need it. I have added, too, a +supply of venison to our beef and bread." + +"You're an accomplished burglar, Tayoga, but I think that in this case your +patron saint, Tododaho, will forgive you. I'm devoutly glad of the blanket. +I feel stiff and sore, after such great exertions, and I find I've grown +cold with the coming of the dark." + +"It is a relapse," said Tayoga with some anxiety. "The strain on mind and +body has been too great. Better wrap yourself in the blanket at once, and +lie quiet in the thicket." + +Robert was prompt to take his advice, as his body was hot and his sight +was wavering. He felt that he was going to be ill and he might get it over +all the quicker by surrendering to it at once. He rolled the blanket +tightly about himself and lay down on the softest spot he could find. In +the night he became delirious and talked continually of Langlade, St. Luc +and Montcalm. But Tayoga watched by him continually until late, when he +hunted through the forest by moonlight for some powerful herbs known to +the Indians. In the morning he beat them and bruised them and cooked them +as best he could without utensils, and then dropped the juices into his +comrade's mouth, after which he carefully put out the fire, lest it be seen +by savage rovers. + +Robert was soon very much better. He had a profuse perspiration and came +out of his unconscious state, but was quite weak. He was also thoroughly +ashamed of himself. + +"Nice time for me to be breaking down," he said, "here in the wilderness +near an Indian village, hundreds of miles from any of our friends, save +those who are captured. I make my apologies, Tayoga." + +"They are not needed," said the Onondaga. "You defended me with your life +when I was wounded and the wolves sought to eat me, now I repay again. +There is nothing for Dagaeoga to do but to keep on perspiring, see that the +blanket is still wrapped around him, and tonight I will get something in +which to cook the food he needs." + +"How will you do that?" + +"I will go again to my village. I call it mine because it supplies what we +need and I will return with the spoil. Bide you in peace, Dagaeoga. You +have called me an accomplished burglar. I am more, I am a great one." + +Robert had the utmost confidence in him, and it was justified. When he +awoke from a restless slumber, Tayoga stood beside him, holding in his hand +a small iron kettle made in Canada, and a great iron spoon. + +"They are the best they had in the village," he said. "It is not a large +and rich village and so its possessions are not great, but I think these +will do. I have also brought with me some very tender meat of a young deer +that I found in one of the lodges." + +"You're all you claimed to be and more, Tayoga," said Robert earnestly and +gratefully. + +The Onondaga lighted a fire in a dip, and cutting the deer into tiny bits +made a most appetizing soup, which Robert's weak stomach was able to retain +and to crave more. + +"No," said Tayoga, "enough for tonight, but you shall have twice as much in +the morning. Now, go to sleep again." + +"I haven't been doing anything but sleep for the last day or two. I want to +get up and walk." + +"And have your fever come back. Besides, you are not strong enough yet to +walk more than a few steps." + +Robert knew that he would be forced to obey, and he passed the night partly +in dozing, and partly in staring at the sky. In the morning he was very +hungry and showed an increase of strength. Tayoga, true to his word, gave +him a double portion of the soup, but still forbade sternly any attempt at +walking. + +"Lie there, Dagaeoga," he said, "and let the wind blow over you, and I'll +go farther into the forest to see if friend or enemy be near." + +Robert, feeling that he must, lay peacefully on his back after the Onondaga +left him. He was free from fever, but he knew that Tayoga was right in +forbidding him to walk. It would be several days yet before he could +fulfill his old duties, as an active and powerful forest runner. Yet he was +very peaceful because the soreness of body that had troubled him was gone +and strength was flowing back into his veins. Despite the fact that he was +lying on his back alone in the wilderness, with savage foes not far away, +he believed that he had very much for which to be grateful. He had been +taken almost by a miracle out of the hands of his foes, and, when he was +ill and in his weakness might have been devoured by wild beasts or might +have starved to death, the most loyal and resourceful of comrades had been +by his side to save him. + +He saw the great star on which Tayoga's Tododaho lived, and he accepted so +much of the Iroquois theology, believing that it was in spirit and essence +the same as his own Christian belief, that he almost imagined he could see +the great Onondaga chieftain who had gone away four centuries ago. In any +event, it was a beneficent star, and he was glad that it shone down on him +so brilliantly. + +Tayoga before his departure had loaned him one of his blankets and now he +lay upon it, with the other wrapped around him, his loaded pistol in his +belt and his loaded rifle lying by his side. The fire that the Onondaga had +built in the dip not far away had been put out carefully and the ashes had +been scattered. + +Although it was midsummer, the night, as often happened in that northern +latitude, had come on cool, and the warmth of the blankets was not +unwelcome. Robert knew that he was only a mote in all that vast wilderness, +but the contiguity of the Indian village might cause warriors, either +arriving or departing, to pass near him. So he was not surprised when he +heard footsteps in the bushes not far away, and then the sound of voices. +Instinctively he tried to press his body into the earth, and he also lifted +carefully the loaded rifle, but second thought told him he was not likely +to be seen. + +Warriors presently came so near that they were visible, and to his surprise +and alarm he saw the huge figure of Tandakora among them. They were about a +dozen in number, walking in the most leisurely manner and once stopped very +close to him to talk. Although he raised himself up a little and clutched +the rifle more tightly he was still hopeful that they would not see him. +The Ojibway chieftain was in full war paint, with a fine new American +rifle, and also a small sword swinging from his belt. Both were undoubtedly +trophies of Oswego, and it was certain that after carrying the sword for a +while as a prize he would discard it. Indians never found much use for +swords. + +Robert always believed that Tayoga's Tododaho protected him that night, +because for a while all the chances were against him. As the warriors stood +near talking a frightened deer started up in the thicket, and Tandakora +himself brought it down with a lucky bullet, the unfortunate animal falling +not thirty yards from the hidden youth. They removed the skin and cut it +into portions where it lay, the whole task taking about a half hour, and +all the time Robert, lying under the brush, saw them distinctly. + +He was in mortal fear lest one of them wander into the dip where Tayoga had +built the fire, and see traces of the ashes, but they did not do so. Twice +warriors walked in that direction and his heart was in his mouth, but in +neither case did the errand take them so far. Tandakora was not alone in +bearing Oswego spoils. Nearly all of them had something, a rifle, a pistol +or a sword, and two wore officers' laced coats over their painted bodies. +The sight filled Robert with rage. Were his people to go on this way +indefinitely, sacrificing men and posts in unrelated efforts? Would they +allow the French, with inferior numbers, to beat them continuously? He had +seen Montcalm and talked with him, and he feared everything from that +daring and tenacious leader. + +While the Indians prepared the deer the moon and stars came out with +uncommon brilliancy, filling the forest with a misty, silver light. Robert +now saw Tandakora and his men so clearly that it seemed impossible for them +not to see him. Once more he had the instinctive desire to press himself +into the earth, but his mind told him that absolute silence was the most +necessary thing. As he lay, he could have picked off Tandakora with a +bullet from his rifle, and, so far as the border was concerned, he felt +that his own life was worth the sacrifice, but he loved his life and the +Ojibway might be put out of the way at some other time and place. + +Tayoga's Tododaho protected him once more. Two of the Indians wanted water +and they started in search of a brook which was never far away in that +region. It seemed for a moment or two that they would walk directly into +the dip, where scattered ashes lay, but the great Onondaga turned them +aside just in time and they found at another point the water they wished. +Robert's extreme tension lasted until they were back with the others. +Nevertheless their harmless return encouraged him in the belief that the +star was working in his behalf. + +The Indians were in no hurry. They talked freely over their task of +dressing and quartering the deer, and often they were so near that Robert +could hear distinctly what they said, but only once or twice did they use a +dialect that he could understand, and then they were speaking of the great +victory of Oswego, in which they confirmed the inference, drawn from the +spoils, that they like Tandakora had taken a part. They were in high good +humor, expecting more triumphs, and regarded the new French commander, +Montcalm, as a great and invincible leader. + +Robert was glad, then, that he was such an insignificant mote in the +wilderness and had he the power he would have made himself so small that he +would have become invisible, but as that was impossible he still trusted +in Tayoga's Tododaho. The Indian chief gave two of the warriors an order, +and they started on a course that would have brought them straight to him. +The lad gave himself up for lost, but, intending to make a desperate fight +for it, despite his weakness, his hand crept to the hammer and trigger of +his rifle. Something moved in the thicket, a bear, perhaps, or a lynx, and +the two Indians, when they were within twenty feet of him, turned aside to +investigate it. Then they went on, and it was quite clear again to Robert +that he had been right about the friendly intervention of Tododaho. + +Nor was it long until the truth was demonstrated to him once more, and in a +conclusive manner. The entire party departed, taking with them the portions +of the deer, and they passed so very close to him that their wary eyes, +which always watched on all sides, would have been compelled to see him, if +Tododaho, or perhaps it was Areskoui, or even Manitou, had not seen fit +just at that moment to draw a veil before the moon and stars and make the +shadow so deep under the bush where young Lennox lay that he was invisible, +although they stepped within fifteen feet of him. They went on in their +usual single file, disappearing in the direction of the village, while he +lay still and gave thanks. + +They had not been gone more than fifteen minutes when there was a faint +rustle in the thicket, and Tayoga stood before him. + +"I was hid in a clump of weeds not far away and I saw," said the Onondaga. +"It was a narrow escape, but you were protected by the great powers of the +earth and the air. Else they would have seen you." + +"It is so," said Robert, devoutly, "and it makes me all the more glad to +see you, Tayoga. I hope your journey, like all the others, has been +fruitful." + +The Onondaga smiled in the dusk. + +"It is a good village to which I go," he replied in his precise fashion. +"You will recall that they had in Albany what they call in the English +tongue a chemist's shop. It is such that I sought in the village, and I +found it in one lodge, the owners of which were absent, and which I could +reach at my leisure. Here is a gourd of Indian tea, very strong, made from +the essence of the sassafras root. It will purge the impurities from your +blood, and, in another day, your appetite will be exceedingly strong. Then +your strength will grow so fast that in a short time you will be ready for +a long journey. I have also brought a small sack filled with samp." + +Robert uttered a little cry of joy. He craved bread, or at least something +that would take its place, and samp, a variation of which is known as +hominy, was a most acceptable substitute. + +"You are, in truth, a most efficient burglar, Tayoga," he said. + +"I obtained also information," continued the Onondaga. "While I lay in one +of the lodges, hidden under furs, I heard two of the old men talking. They +believe since they have taken Oswego that all things are possible for them +and the French. Montcalm appears to them the greatest of all leaders and +he will take them from one victory to another. Their defeat by Andiatarocte +is forgotten, and they plan a great advance toward the south. But they +intend first to sweep up all the scouts and bands of the Americans and +English. Their first attack will be upon Rogers, him whom we call the +Mountain Wolf." + +"Rogers! Is he somewhere near us?" exclaimed Robert eagerly. + +"Far to the east toward Andiatarocte, but they mean to strike him. The +Frenchmen De Courcelles and Jumonville will join with Tandakora, then St. +Luc will go too and he will lead a great force against the Mountain Wolf, +with whom, I suspect, our friend the Great Bear now is, hoping perhaps, as +they hunt through the forest, to discover some traces of us." + +"I knew all along, Tayoga, that Dave would seek me and rescue me if you +didn't, or if I didn't rescue myself, provided I remained alive, as you see +I did." + +"The Great Bear is the most faithful of all comrades. He would never desert +a friend in the hands of the enemy." + +"You think then that we should try to meet the Mountain Wolf and his +rangers?" + +"Of a certainty. As soon as Dagaeoga is strong enough. Now lie still, while +I scout through the forest. If no enemy is near I will heat the tea, and +then you must drink, and drink deep." + +He made a wide circuit, and, coming back, lighted a little fire on which he +warmed the tea in the pot that he had taken from the village on an earlier +night. Then, under the insistence of Tayoga, Robert drank a quantity that +amounted to three cups, and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which he +awoke the next day with an appetite so sharp that he felt able to bite a +big piece out of a tree. + +"I think I'll go hunt a buffalo, kill him and eat him whole," he said in a +large, round voice. + +"If so Dagaeoga will have to roam far," said Tayoga sedately. "The buffalo +is not found east of the Alleghanies, as you well know." + +"Of course I know it, but what are time and distance to a Samson like me? I +say I will go forth and slay a buffalo, unless I am fed at once and in +enormous quantities." + +"Would a haunch of venison and a gallon of samp help Dagaeoga a little?" + +"Yes, a little, they'd serve as appetizers for something real and +substantial to come." + +"Then if you feel so strong and are charged so full of ambition you can +help cook breakfast. You have had an easy time, Dagaeoga, but life +henceforth will not be all eating and sleeping." + +They had a big and pleasant breakfast together and Robert rejoiced in his +new vigor. It was wonderful to be so strong after having been so weak, it +was like life after death, and he was eager to start at once. + +"It is a good thing to have been ill," he said, "because then you know how +fine it is to be well." + +"But we will not depart before tomorrow," said the Onondaga decisively. + +"And why?" + +"Because you have lived long enough in the wilderness, Dagaeoga, to know +that one must always fight the weather. Look into the west, and you will +see a little cloud moving up from the horizon. It does not amount to much +at present, but it contains the seed of great things. It has been sent by +the Rain God, and it will not do yet for Dagaeoga, despite his new +strength, to travel in the rain." + +Robert became anxious as he watched the little cloud, which seemed to swell +as he looked at it, and which soon assumed an angry hue. He knew that +Tayoga had told the truth. Coming out of his fever it would be a terrible +risk for him to become drenched. + +"We will make a shelter such as we can in the dip where we built the fire," +said Tayoga, "and now you can use your new strength as much as you will in +wielding a tomahawk." + +They cut small saplings with utmost speed and speedily accomplished one of +the most difficult tasks of the border, making a rude brush shelter which +with the aid of their blankets would protect them from the storm. By the +time they had finished, the little cloud which had been at first a mere +signal had grown so prodigiously that it covered the whole heavens, and the +day became almost as dark as twilight. The lightning began to flash in +great, blazing strokes, and the thunder was so nearly continuous that the +earth kept up an incessant jarring. Then the rain poured heavily and Robert +saw Tayoga's wisdom. Although the shelter and his blanket kept the rain +from him he felt cold in the damp, and shivered as if with a chill. + +"When the storm stops, which will not be before dark," said Tayoga, "I +shall go to the village and get you a heavy buffalo robe. They have some, +acquired in trade from the Indians of the western plains, and one of them +belongs to you. So, Dagaeoga, I will get it." + +"Tayoga, you have taken too much risk for me already. I can make out very +well as I am, and suppose we start tonight in search of Rogers and Willet." + +"I mean to have my way, because in this case my way is right. We work +together as partners, and the partnership becomes ineffective when one +member of it cannot endure the hardships of a long march, and perhaps of +battle. And has not Dagaeoga said that I am an accomplished burglar? I +prove it anew tonight. As soon as the rain ceases I will go to the village, +the great storehouse of our supplies." + +The Onondaga spoke in a light tone with a whimsical inflection, but Robert +saw that he was intensely in earnest, and that it was not worth while for +him to say more. The great storm passed on to the southward, the rain sank +to a drizzle, but it was very cold in the forest, and Robert's teeth +chattered, despite every effort to control his body. + +"I go, Dagaeoga," said Tayoga, "and I shall return with the great, warm +buffalo robe that belongs to you." + +Then he melted without noise into the darkness and Robert was alone. He +knew the mission of the Onondaga to be a perilous one, but he did not doubt +his success. The cold drizzle fell on the shelter of brush and saplings, +and some of it seeped through. Now and then a drop found its way down his +neck, and it felt like ice. Physically he was very miserable, and it began +to depress his spirit. He hoped that Tayoga would not be long in obtaining +the buffalo robe. + +The thunder moaned a little far to the south, and then died down entirely. +There were one or two stray flashes of lightning and then no more. He sank +into a sort of doze that was more like a stupor, from which he was awakened +by a dusky figure in the doorway of the little shelter. It was Tayoga, and +he bore a heavy dark bundle over his arm. + +"I have brought the buffalo robe that belongs to you, Dagaeoga," he said +cheerfully. "It was in the lodge of the head chief of the village and I had +to wait until he went forth to greet Tandakora, who came with a band of his +warriors to claim shelter, food and rest. Then I took what was your own and +here it is, one of the finest I have ever seen." + +He held up the great buffalo robe, tanned splendidly and rich in fur and +the sight of it made Robert's teeth stop chattering. He wrapped it around +his body and sufficient warmth came back. + +"You're a marvel, Tayoga," he said. "Does the village contain anything else +that belongs to us?" + +"Nothing that I can think of now. The rain will cease entirely in an hour, +and then we will start." + +His prediction was right, and they set forth in the dark forest, Robert +wearing the great buffalo robe which stored heat and consequent energy in +his frame. But the woods were so wet, and it was so difficult to find a +good trail that they did not make very great progress, and when dawn came +they were only a few miles away. Robert's strength, however, stood the +test, and they dared to light a fire and have a warm breakfast. Much +refreshed they plunged on anew, hunting for friends who could not be much +more than motes in the wilderness. Robert hoped that some chance would +enable him to meet Willet, to whom he owed so much, and who stood in the +place of a father to him. It did not seem possible that the Great Bear +could have fallen in one of the numerous border skirmishes, which must have +been fought since his capture. He could not associate death with a man so +powerful and vital as Willet. + +The day was bright and warm, and he took off the buffalo robe. It was quite +a weight to be carried, but he knew he would need it again when night came +and particularly if there were other storms. They saw many trails in the +afternoon and Tayoga was quite sure they were made by war bands. Nearly all +of them led southeast. + +"The savages in the west and about the Great Lakes," he said, "have heard +of the victory at Oswego, and so they pour out to the French standard, +expecting many scalps and great spoils. Whenever the French win a triumph +it means more warriors for them." + +"And may not some of the bands going to the war stumble on our own trail?" + +"It is likely, Dagaeoga. But if it comes to battle see how much better it +is that you should be strong and able." + +"Yes, I concede now, Tayoga, that it was right for us to wait as long as +we did." + +The trails grew much more numerous as they advanced. Evidently swarms of +warriors were about them and before midday Tayoga halted. + +"It will not be wise for us to advance farther," he said. "We must seek +some hiding place." + +"Hark to that!" exclaimed Robert. + +A breeze behind them bore a faint shout to his ear. Tayoga listened +intently, and it was repeated once. + +"Pursuit!" he said briefly. "They have come by chance upon our trail. It +may be Tandakora himself and it is unfortunate. They will never leave us +now, unless they are driven back." + +"Then we'd better turn back towards the north, as the thickest of the +swarms are sure to be to the south of us." + +"It is so. Again the longest of roads becomes the safest for us, but we +will not make it wholly north, we will bear to the east also. I once left a +canoe, hidden in the edge of a lake there, and we may find it." + +"What will we do with it if we find it?" + +"Tandakora will not be able to follow the trail of a canoe. But now we must +press forward with all speed, Dagaeoga. See, there is a smoke in the south +and now another answers it in the north. They are talking about us." + +Robert saw the familiar signals which always meant peril to them, and he +was willing to go forward at the uttermost speed. He had become hardened in +a measure to danger, though it seemed to him that he was passing through +enough of it to last a lifetime. But his soul rose to meet it. + +They used all the customary devices to hide their traces, wading when there +was water, walking on stones or logs when they were available, but they +knew these stratagems would only delay Tandakora, they could not throw him +off the trail entirely. They hoped more from the coming dark, and, when +night came, it found them going at great speed. Just at twilight they heard +a faint shout again and the faint shout in reply, telling them the pursuit +was maintained, but the night fortunately proved to be very dark, and, an +hour or two later, they came to a heavy windrow, the result of some old +hurricane into which they drew for shelter and rest. They knew that not +even the Indian trailers could find them there in such darkness, and for +the present they were without apprehension. + +"Do you think they will pass us in the night?" asked Robert. + +"No," replied Tayoga. "They will wait until the dawn and pick up the trail +anew." + +"Then we'd better start again about midnight." + +"I think so, too." + +Meanwhile, lying comfortably among the fallen trees and leaves, they waited +in silence. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +THE MYSTIC VOYAGE + +The long stay in the windrow served Robert well, more than atoning for the +drain made upon his strength by their rapid flight. In three or four hours +he was back in his normal state, and he felt proudly that he was now as +good as he had ever been. The night, as they had expected, was cold, and he +was thankful that he had hung on to the buffalo robe, in which he wrapped +himself once more, while Tayoga was snug between two big blankets. + +Robert dozed, but he was awakened by something stirring near them, and he +sat up with his finger on the trigger of his rifle. The Onondaga was +already listening and watching, ready with his weapon. Presently the white +youth heard his companion laughing softly, and his own tension relaxed, as +he knew Tayoga would not laugh without good cause. + +"It is a bear," said Tayoga, "and he has a lair in the windrow, not more +than twenty feet away. He has been out very late at night, too late for a +good, honest home-keeping bear, but he is back at last, and he smells us." + +"And alarmed by the odor he does not know whether to enter his home or not. +Well, I hope he'll conclude to take his rest. We eat bear at times, +Tayoga, but just now I wouldn't dream of harming one." + +"Nor would I, Dagaeoga, and maybe the bear will divine that we are +harmless, that is, Tododaho or Areskoui will tell him in some way of which +we know nothing that his home is his own to be entered without fear." + +"I think I hear him moving now, and also puffing a little." + +"You hear aright, Dagaeoga. Tododaho has whispered to him, even as I said, +and he is going into his den which I know is snug and warm, in the very +thickest part of the windrow. Now he is lying down in it with the logs and +branches about him, and soon he will be asleep, dreaming happy dreams of +tender roots and wild honey with no stings of bees to torment him." + +"You grow quite poetical, Tayoga." + +"Although foes are hunting us, I feel the spirit of the forest and of peace +strong upon me, Dagaeoga. Moreover, Tododaho, as I told you, has whispered +to the animals that we are not to be feared tonight. Hark to the tiny +rustling just beyond the log against which we lie!" + +"Yes, I hear it, and what do you make of it, Tayoga?" + +"Rabbits seeking their nests. They, too, have snuffed about, noticing the +man odor, which man himself cannot detect, and once they started away in +alarm, but now they are reassured, and they have settled themselves down to +sleep in comfort and security." + +"Tayoga, you talk well and fluently, but as I have told you before, you +talk out of a dictionary." + +"But as I learned my English out of a dictionary I cannot talk otherwise. +That is why my language is always so much superior to yours, Dagaeoga." + +"I'll let it be as you claim it, you boaster, but what noise is that now? I +seem to hear the light sound of hoofs." + +The Onondaga raised himself to his full height and peered over the dense +masses of trunks and boughs, his keen eyes cutting the thick dusk. Then he +sank back, and, when he replied, his voice showed distinct pleasure. + +"Two deer have come into a little open space, around which the arms of the +windrow stretch nearly all the way, and they have crouched there, where +they will rest, indifferent to the nearness of the bear. Truly, O Dagaeoga, +we have come into the midst of a happy family, and we have been accepted, +for the night, as members of it." + +"It must be so, Tayoga, because I see a figure much larger than that of the +deer approaching. Look to the north and behold that shadow there under the +trees." + +"I see it, Dagaeoga. It is the great northern moose, a bull. Perhaps he has +wandered down from Canada, as they are rare here. They are often +quarrelsome, but the bull is going to take his rest, within the shelter of +the windrow, and leave its other people at peace. Now he has found a good +place, and he will be quiet for the night." + +"Suppose you sleep a while, Tayoga. You have done all the watching for a +long time, and, as I'm fit and fine now, it's right for me to take up my +share of the burden." + +"Very well, but do not fail to awaken me in about three hours. We must not +be caught here in the morning by the warriors." + +He was asleep almost instantly, and Robert sat in a comfortable position +with his rifle across his knees. Responsibility brought back to him +self-respect and pride. He was now a full partner in the partnership, and +will and strength together made his faculties so keen that it would have +been difficult for anything about the windrow to have escaped his +attention. He heard the light rustlings of other animals coming to comfort +and safety, and flutterings as birds settled on upthrust boughs, many of +which were still covered with leaves. Once he heard a faint shout deep in +the forest, brought by the wind a great distance, and he was sure that it +was the cry of their Indian pursuers. Doubtless it was a signal and had +connection with the search, but he felt no alarm. Under the cover of +darkness Tayoga and he were still motes in the wilderness, and, while the +night lasted, Tandakora could not find them. + +When he judged that the three hours had passed he awoke the Onondaga and +they took their silent way north by east, covering much more distance by +dawn. But both were certain that warriors of Tandakora would pick up their +traces again that day. They would spread through the forest, and, when one +of them struck the trail, a cry would be sufficient to call the others. +But they pressed on, still adopting every possible device to throw off +their pursuers, and they continued their flight several days, always +through an unbroken forest, over hills and across many streams, large and +small. It seemed, at times, to Robert that the pursuit must have dropped +away, but Tayoga was quite positive that Tandakora still followed. The +Ojibway, he said, had divined the identity of the fugitives and every +motive would make him follow, even all the way across the Province of New +York and beyond, if need be. + +They came at last to a lake, large, beautiful, extending many miles through +the wilderness, and Tayoga, usually so calm, uttered a little cry of +delight, which Robert repeated, but in fuller volume. + +"I think lakes are the finest things in the world," he said. "They always +stir me." + +"And that is why Manitou put so many and such splendid ones in the land of +the Hodenosaunee," said Tayoga. "This is Ganoatohale, which you call in +your language Oneida, and it is on its shores that I hid the canoe of which +I spoke to you. I think we shall find it just as I left it." + +"I devoutly hope so. A canoe and paddles would give me much pleasure just +now, and Ganoatohale will leave no trail." + +They walked northward along the shore of the lake, and they came to a place +where many tall reeds grew thick and close in shallow water. Tayoga plunged +into the very heart of them and Robert's heart rose with a bound, when he +reappeared dragging after him a large and strong canoe, containing two +paddles. + +"It has rested in quiet waiting for us," he said. "It is a good canoe, and +it knew that I would come some time to claim it." + +"Before we go upon our voyage," said Robert, "I think we shall have to pay +some attention to the question of food. My pouch is about empty." + +"And so is mine. We shall have to take the risk, Dagaeoga, and shoot a +deer. Tandakora may be so far behind that none of his warriors will hear +the shot, but even so we cannot live without eating. We will, however, hunt +from the canoe. Since the war began, all human beings have gone away from +this lake, and the deer should be plentiful." + +They launched the canoe on the deep waters, and the two took up the +paddles, sending their little craft northward, with slow, deliberate +strokes. They had the luck within the hour to find a deer drinking, and +with equal luck Robert slew it at the first shot. They would have taken the +body into the canoe, but the burden was too great, and Tayoga cut it up and +dressed it with great dispatch, while Robert watched. Then they made room +for the four quarters and again paddled northward. Fearing that Tandakora +had come much nearer, while they were busy with the deer, they did not dare +the wide expanse of the lake, but remained for the present under cover of +the overhanging forest on the western shore. + +"If we put the lake between Tandakora and ourselves," said Robert, "we +ought to be safe." + +"It is likely that they, too, have canoes hidden in the reeds," said +Tayoga. "Since the French and their allies have spread so far south they +would provide for the time when they wanted to go upon the waters of +Ganoatohale. It is almost a certainty that we shall be pursued upon the +lake." + +They continued northward, never leaving the dark shadow cast by the dense +leafage, and, as they went slowly, they enjoyed the luxury of the canoe. +After so much walking through the wilderness it was a much pleasanter +method of traveling. But they did not forget vigilance, continually +scanning the waters, and Robert's heart gave a sudden beat as he saw a +black dot appear upon the surface of the lake in the south. It was followed +in a moment by another, then another and then three more. + +"It is the band of Tandakora, beyond a doubt," said Tayoga with conviction. +"They had their canoes among the reeds even as we had ours, and now it is +well for us that water leaves no trail." + +"Shall we hide the canoe again, and take to the woods?" + +"I think not, Dagaeoga. They have had no chance to see us yet. We will +withdraw among the reeds until night comes, and then under its cover cross +Ganoatohale." + +Keeping almost against the bank, they moved gently until they came to a +vast clump of reeds into which they pushed the canoe, while retaining their +seats in it. In the center they paused and waited. From that point they +could see upon the lake, while remaining invisible themselves, and they +waited. + +The six canoes or large boats, they could not tell at the distance which +they were, went far out into the lake, circled around for a while, and then +bore back toward the western shore, along which they passed, inspecting it +carefully, and drawing steadily nearer to Robert and Tayoga. + +"Now, let us give thanks to Tododaho, Areskoui and to Manitou himself," +said the Onondaga, "that they have been pleased to make the reeds grow in +this particular place so thick and so tall." + +"Yes," said Robert, "they're fine reeds, beautiful reeds, a greater bulwark +to us just now than big oaks could be. Think you, Tayoga, that you +recognize the large man in the first boat?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, I know him, as you do also. How could we mistake our great +enemy, Tandakora? It is a formidable fleet, too strong for us to resist, +and, like the wise man, we hide when we cannot fight." + +Robert's pulses beat so hard they hurt, but he would not show any +uneasiness in the presence of Tayoga, and he sat immovable in the canoe. +Nearer and nearer came the Indian fleet, partly of canoes and partly of +boats, and he counted in them sixteen warriors, all armed heavily. Now he +prayed to Manitou, and to his own God who was the same as Manitou, that no +thought of pushing among the reeds would enter Tandakora's head. The fleet +soon came abreast of them, but his prayers were answered, as Tandakora led +ahead, evidently thinking the fugitives would not dare to hide and lie in +waiting, but would press on in flight up the western shore. + +"I could pick him off from here with a bullet," said Robert, looking at the +huge, painted chest of the Ojibway chief. + +"But our lives would be the forfeit," the Onondaga whispered back. + +"I had no intention of doing it." + +"Now they have passed us, and for the while we are safe. They will go on up +the lake, until they find no trace of us there, and then Tandakora will +come back." + +"But how does he know we have a canoe?" + +"He does not know it, but he feels sure of it because our trail led +straight to the lake, and we would not purposely come up against such a +barrier, unless we knew of a way to cross it." + +"That sounds like good logic. Of course when they return they'll make a +much more thorough search of the lake's edge, and then they'd be likely to +find us if we remained here." + +"It is so, but perhaps the night will come before Tandakora, and then we'll +take flight upon the lake." + +They pushed their canoe back to the edge of the reeds, and watched the +Indian boats passing in single file northward, becoming smaller and smaller +until they almost blended with the water, but both knew they would return, +and in that lay their great danger. The afternoon was well advanced, but +the sun was very brilliant, and it was hot within the reeds. Great +quantities of wild fowl whirred about them and along the edges of the +lake. + +"No warriors are in hiding near us," said Tayoga, "or the wild fowl would +fly away. We can feel sure that we have only Tandakora and his band to +fear." + +Robert had never watched the sun with more impatience. It was already going +down the western arch, but it seemed to him to travel with incredible +slowness. Far in the north the Indian boats were mere black dots on the +water, but they were turning. Beyond a doubt Tandakora was now coming back. + +"Suppose we go slowly south, still keeping in the shadow of the trees," he +said. "We can gain at least that much advantage." + +Fortunately the scattered fringe of reeds and bushes, growing in the water, +extended far to the south, and they were able to keep in their protecting +shadow a full hour, although their rate of progress was not more than +one-third that of the Indians, who were coming without obstruction in open +water. Nevertheless, it was a distinct gain, and, meanwhile, they awaited +the coming of the night with the deepest anxiety. They recognized that +their fate turned upon a matter of a half hour or so. If only the night +would arrive before Tandakora! Robert glanced at the low sun, and, although +at all times, it was beautiful, he had never before prayed so earnestly +that it would go over the other side of the world, and leave their own side +to darkness. + +The splendor of the great yellow star deepened as it sank. It poured +showers of rays upon the broad surface of the lake, and the silver of the +waters turned to orange and gold. Everything there was enlarged and made +more vivid, standing out twofold against the burning western background. +Nothing beyond the shadow could escape the observation of the Indians in +the boats, and they themselves in Robert's intense imagination changed from +a line of six light craft into a great fleet. + +Nevertheless the sun, lingering as if it preferred their side of the world +to any other, was bound to go at last. The deep colors in the water faded. +The orange and gold changed back to silver, and the silver, in its turn, +gave way to gray, twilight began to draw a heavy veil over the east, and +Tayoga said in deep tones: + +"Lo, the Sun God has decided that we may escape! He will let the night come +before Tandakora!" + +Then the sun departed all at once, and the brilliant afterglow soon faded. +Night settled down, thick and dark, with the waters, ruffled by a light +wind, showing but dimly. The line of Tandakora became invisible, and the +two youths felt intense relief. + +"Now we will start toward the northeastern end of the lake," said Tayoga. +"It will be wiser than to seek the shortest road across, because Tandakora +will think naturally that we have gone that way, and he will take it also." + +"And it's paddling all night for us," said Robert "Well, I welcome it." + +They were interrupted by the whirring of the wild fowl again, though on a +much greater scale than before. The twilight was filled with feathered +bodies. Tayoga, in an instant, was all attention. + +"Something has frightened them," he said. + +"Perhaps a bear or a deer," said Robert. + +"I think not. They are used to wild animals, and would not be startled at +their approach. There is only one being that everything in the forest +generally fears." + +"Man?" + +"Even so, Dagaeoga." + +"Perhaps we'd better pull in close to the bank and look." + +"It would be wise." + +Robert saw that the Onondaga, with his acute instincts, was deeply alarmed, +and he too felt that the wild fowl had given warning. They sent the canoe +with a few silent strokes through the shallow water almost to the edge of +the land, and, as it nearly struck bottom, two dusky figures rising among +the bushes threw their weight upon them. The light craft sank almost to the +edges with the weight, but did not overturn, and both attackers and +attacked fell out of it into the lake. + +Robert for a moment saw a dusky face above him, and instinctively he +clasped the body of a warrior in his arms. Then the two went down together +in the water. The Indian was about to strike at him with a knife, but the +lake saved him. As the water rushed into eye, mouth and nostril the two +fell apart, but Robert was able to keep his presence of mind in that +terrible moment, and, as he came up again, he snatched out his own knife +and struck almost blindly. + +He felt the blade encounter resistance, and then pass through it. He heard +a choked cry and he shuddered violently. All his instincts were for +civilization and against the taking of human life, and he had struck merely +to save his own, but almost articulate words of thankfulness bubbled to his +lips as he saw the dark figure that had hovered so mercilessly over him +disappear. Then a second figure took the place of the first and he drew +back the fatal blade again, but a soft voice said: + +"Do not strike, Dagaeoga. I also have accounted for one of the warriors who +attacked us, and no more have yet come. We may thank the wild fowl. Had +they not warned us we should have perished." + +"And even then we had luck, or your Tododaho is still watching over us. I +struck at random, but the blade was guided to its mark." + +"And so was mine. What you say is also proved to be true by the fact that +the canoe did not overturn, when they threw themselves upon us. The chances +were at least ninety-nine out of a hundred that it would do so." + +"And our arms and ammunition and our deer?" + +"All in the canoe, except the weapons that are in our belts." + +"Then, Tayoga, it is quite sure that your Tododaho has been watching over +us. But where is the canoe?" + +Robert was filled with alarm and horror. They were standing above their +knees in the water, and they no longer saw the little craft, which had +become a veritable ship of refuge to them. They peered about frantically +in the dusk and then Tayoga said: + +"There is a strong breeze blowing from the land and waves are beginning to +run on the water. They have taken the canoe out into the lake. We must swim +in search of it." + +"And if we don't find it?" + +"Then we drown, but O Dagaeoga, death in the water is better than death in +the fires that Tandakora will kindle." + +"We might escape into the woods." + +"Warriors who have come upon our trail are there, and would fall upon us at +once. The attack by the two who failed proves their presence." + +"Then, Tayoga, we must take the perilous chance and swim for the canoe." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga." + +Both were splendid swimmers, even with their clothes on, and, wading out +until the water was above their waists, they began to swim with strong and +steady strokes toward the middle of the lake, following with exactness the +course of the wind. All the time they sought with anxious eyes through the +dusk for a darker shadow that might be the canoe. The wind rose rapidly, +and now and then the crest of a wave dashed over them. Less expert swimmers +would have sunk, but their muscles were hardened by years of forest +life--all Robert's strength had come back to him--and an immense vitality +made the love of life overwhelming in them. They fought with all the +powers of mind and body for the single chance of overtaking the canoe. + +"I hope you see it, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Not yet," replied the Onondaga. "The darkness is heavy over the lake, and +the mists and vapors, rising from the water, increase it." + +"It was a fine canoe, Tayoga, and it holds our rifles, our ammunition, our +deer, my buffalo robe, and all our precious belongings. We have to find +it." + +"It is so, Dagaeoga. We have no other choice. We truly swim for life. One +could pray at this time to have all the powers of a great fish. Do you see +anything behind us?" + +Robert twisted his head and looked over his shoulder. + +"I see no pursuit," he replied. "I cannot even see the shore, as the mists +and vapors have settled down between. In a sense we're out at sea, Tayoga." + +"And Ganoatohale is large. The canoe, too, is afloat upon its bosom and is, +as you say, out at sea. We and it must meet or we are lost. Are you weary, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Not yet. I can still swim for quite a while." + +"Then float a little, and we can take the exact course of the wind again. +The canoe, of course, will continue to go the way the wind goes." + +"Unless it's deflected by currents which do not always follow the wind." + +"I do not notice any current, and to follow the wind is our only hope. The +mists and vapors will hide the canoe from us until we are very close to it" + +"And you may thank Tododaho that they will hide something else also. +Unless I make a great mistake, Tayoga, I hear the swish of paddles." + +"You make no mistake, Dagaeoga. I too hear paddles, ten, a dozen, or more +of them. It is the fleet of Tandakora coming back and it will soon be +passing between us and the shore. Truly we may be thankful, as you say, for +the mists and vapors which, while they hide the canoe from us, also hide us +from our enemies." + +"I shall lie flat upon my back and float, and I'll blend with the water." + +"It is a wise plan, Dagaeoga. So shall I. Then Tandakora himself would not +see us, even if he passed within twenty feet of us." + +"He is passing now, and I can see the outlines of their boats." + +The two were silent as the fish themselves, sustained by imperceptible +strokes, and Robert saw the fleet of Tandakora pass in a ghostly line. They +looked unreal, a shadow following shadows, the huge figure of the Ojibway +chief in the first boat a shadow itself. Robert's blood chilled, and it was +not from the cold of the water. He was in a mystic and unreal world, but a +world in which danger pressed in on every side. He felt like one living +back in a primeval time. The swish of the paddles was doubled and tripled +by his imagination, and the canoes seemed to be almost on him. + +The questing eyes of Tandakora and his warriors swept the waters as far as +the night, surcharged with mists and vapors, would allow, but they did not +see the two human figures, so near them and almost submerged in the lake. +The sound of the swishing paddles moved southward, and the line of ghostly +canoes melted again, one by one, into the darkness. + +"They're gone, Tayoga," whispered Robert in a tone of immense relief. + +"So they are, Dagaeoga, and they will seek us long elsewhere. Are you yet +weary?" + +"I might be at another time, but with my life at stake I can't afford to +grow tired. Let us follow the wind once more." + +They swam anew with powerful strokes, despite the long time they had been +in the water, and no sailors, dying of thirst, ever scanned the sea more +eagerly for a sail than they searched through the heavy dusk for their lost +canoe. The wind continued to rise, and the waves with it. Foam was often +dashed over their heads, the water grew cold to their bodies, now and then +they floated on their backs to rest themselves and thus the singular chase, +with the wind their only guide, was maintained. + +Robert was the first to see a dim shape, but he would not say anything +until it grew in substance and solidity. Nevertheless hope flooded his +heart, and then he said: + +"The wind has guided us aright, Tayoga. Unless some evil spirit has taught +my eyes to lie to me that is our canoe straight ahead." + +"It has all the appearance of a canoe, Dagaeoga, and since the only canoe +on this part of the lake is our canoe, then our canoe it is." + +"And none too soon. I'm not yet worn out, but the cold of the water is +entering my bones. I can see very clearly now that it's the canoe, our +canoe. It stands up like a ship, the strongest canoe, the finest canoe, the +friendliest canoe that ever floated on a lake or anywhere else. I can hear +it saying to us: 'I have been waiting for you. Why didn't you come +sooner?'" + +"Truly when Dagaeoga is an old, old man, nearly a hundred, and the angel of +death comes for him, he will rise up in his bed and with the rounded words +pouring from his lips he will say to the angel: 'Let me make a speech only +an hour long and then I will go with you without trouble, else I stay here +and refuse to die.'" + +"I'm using words to express my gratitude, Tayoga. Look, the canoe is moving +slowly toward the center of the lake, but it stays back as much as the wind +will let it and keeps beckoning to us. A few more long, swift strokes, +Tayoga, and we're beside it." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, and we must be careful how we climb into it. It is no light +task to board a canoe in the middle of a lake. Since Tododaho would not let +it be overturned, when we fell out of it, we must not overturn it ourselves +when we get back into it, else we lose all our arms, ammunition and other +supplies." + +The canoe was now not more than fifty feet in front of them, moving +steadily farther and farther from land before the wind that blew out of the +west, but, sitting upright on the waters like a thing of life, bearing its +precious freight. The mists and vapors had closed in so much now that their +chance of seeing it had been only one in a thousand, and yet that lone +chance had happened. The devout soul of Tayoga was filled with gratitude. +Even while swimming he looked up at the great star that he could not see +beyond the thick veil of cloud, but, knowing it was there, he returned +thanks to the mighty Onondaga chieftain who had saved them so often. + +"The canoe retreats before us, Dagaeoga," he said, "but it is not to escape +us, it is to beckon us on, out of the path of Tandakora's boats which soon +may be returning again and which will now come farther out into the lake, +thinking that we may possibly have made a dash under the cover of the +mists." + +"What you predict is already coming true, Tayoga," said Robert, "because I +hear the first faint dip of their paddles once more, and they can't be more +than two hundred yards behind us." + +The regular swishing grew louder and came closer, but the courage of the +two youths was still high. They had been drawn on so steadily by the canoe, +apparently in a predestined course, and they had been victors over so many +dangers, that they were confident the boats of Tandakora would pass once +more and leave them unseen. + +"They're almost abreast of us now, Tayoga," said Robert. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga," said the Onondaga, looking back. "They do not appear +through the mist and we hear only the paddles, but we know the threat is +there, and we can follow them as well with ear as with eye. They keep +straight on, going back toward the north. Nothing tells them we are here, +as our canoe beckons to us, nothing guides them to that for which they are +looking. Now the sound of their paddles becomes less, now it is faint and +now it is gone wholly. They have missed us once more! Let us summon up the +last of our strength and overtake the canoe." + +They put all their energy into a final effort and presently drew up by the +side of the canoe. Tayoga steadied it with his hands while Robert was the +first to climb into it. The Onondaga followed and the two lay for a few +minutes exhausted on the bottom. Then Tayoga sat up and said in a full +voice: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, let us give thanks to Manitou for our wonderful escape, +because we have looked into the face of death." + +Robert, awed by time and circumstance, shared fully the belief of Tayoga +that their escape was a miracle. His nature contained much that was devout +and spiritual and he, too, with his impressionable imagination, peopled +earth and air almost unconsciously with spirits, good and bad. The good and +bad often fought together, and sometimes the good prevailed as they had +just done. There lay in the canoe the paddles, which they had lifted out of +the water in their surprise at the sudden attack, and beside them were the +rifles and everything else they needed. + +They were content to let the canoe travel its own course for a long time, +and that course was definite and certain, as if guided by the hand of man. +The wind always carried it toward the northeast and farther and farther +away from the fleet of Tandakora. But they took off their clothing, wrung +out as much water as they could, and wrapped themselves in the dry blankets +from their packs. Robert's spirits, stimulated by the reaction, bubbled up +in a wonderful manner. + +"We'll see no more of Tandakora for a long time, at least," he exclaimed, +"and now, ho! for our wonderful voyage!" + +They drew the wet charges from their pistols and reloaded them, they +polished anew their hatchets and knives and then, these tasks done, they +still sat for a long time in the canoe, idle and content. Their little boat +needed no help or guidance from their hands. That favoring wind always +carried it away from their enemies and in the direction in which they +wished it to go. And yet the wind did not blow away the mists and vapors, +that grew thicker and thicker around them, until they could not see twenty +feet away. + +Robert's feeling that they were protected, his sense of the spiritual and +mystic, grew, and he saw that the mind of Tayoga was under the same spell. +The waters of the lake were friendly now. As they lapped around the canoe +they made a soothing sound, and the wind that guided and propelled them +sang a low but pleasant song. + +"We are in the arms of Tododaho," said Tayoga in a reverential tone, "and +Hayowentha, the great Mohawk, also looks on and smiles. What need for us to +strive when the gods themselves take us in their keeping?" + +Hours passed before they spoke again. They had been at the uttermost verge +of exhaustion when they climbed into the canoe, and perhaps physical +weakness had made their minds more receptive to the belief that they were +in hands mightier than their own, but even as strength came back the +conviction remained in all its primitive force. Warmth returned to their +bodies, wrapped in the blankets, and they felt an immense peace. Midnight +passed and the boat bore steadily on with its two silent occupants. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +THE MARVELOUS TRAILER + +"Where are we, Tayoga?" + +Robert stirred from a doze and the words were involuntary. He looked upon +water, covered with mists and vapors, and the driving wind was still behind +them. + +"I know not, Dagaeoga," replied the Onondaga in devout tones. "I too have +dozed for a while, and awoke to find nothing changed. All I know is that we +are yet on the bosom of Ganoatohale, and that the west wind has borne us +on. I have always loved the west wind, Dagaeoga. Its breath is sweet on my +face. It comes from the setting sun, from the greatest of all seas that +lies beyond our continent, it blows over the vast unknown plains that are +trodden by the buffalo in myriads, it comes across the mighty forests of +the great valley, it is loaded with all the odors and perfumes of our +immense land, and now it carries us, too, to safety." + +"You talk in hexameters, Tayoga, but I think your rhapsody is justified. I +also have plenty of cause now to love the west wind. How long do you think +it will be until we feel the dawn on our faces?" + +"Two hours, perhaps, but we may reach land before then. While I cannot +smell the dawn I seem to perceive the odor of the forest. Now it grows +stronger, and lo, Dagaeoga, there is another sign! Do you not notice it?" + +"No, what is it?" + +"The west wind that has served us so well is dying. _Gaoh_, which in +our language of the Hodenosaunee is the spirit of the winds, knows that we +need it no more. Surely the land is near because _Gaoh_ after being a +benevolent spirit to us so long would not desert us at the last moment." + +"I think you must be right, Tayoga, because now I also notice the strong, +keen perfume of the woods, and our west wind has sunk to almost nothing." + +"Nay, Dagaeoga, it is more than that. It has died wholly. _Gaoh_ +tells us that having brought us so near the land we can now fend for +ourselves." + +The air became absolutely still, the swell ceased, the surface of the lake +became as smooth as glass, and, as if swept back by a mighty, unseen hand, +the mists and vapors suddenly floated away toward the east. Tayoga and +Robert uttered cries of admiration and gratitude, as a high, green shore +appeared, veiled but not hidden in the dusk. + +"So Tododaho has brought us safely across the waters of Ganoatohale," said +the Onondaga. + +"Have you any idea of the point to which we have come?" asked Robert. + +"No, but it is sufficient that we have come to the shore anywhere. And see, +Dagaeoga, the mists and vapors still hang heavily over the western half of +the lake, forming an impenetrable wall that shuts us off from Tandakora +and his warriors. Truly we are for the time the favorites of the gods." + +"Even so, Tayoga, you see, too, that we have come to land just where a +little river empties into the lake, and we can go on up it." + +They paddled with vigorous arms into the mouth of the stream, and did not +stop until the day came. It was a beautiful little river, the massed +vegetation growing in walls of green to the very water's edge, the songs of +innumerable birds coming out of the cool gloom on either side. Robert was +enchanted. His spirits were still at the high key to which they had been +raised by the events of the night. Both he and Tayoga had enjoyed many +hours of rest in the canoe, and now they were keen and strong for the day's +work. So, it was long after dawn when they stopped paddling, and pushed +their prow into a little cove. + +"And now," said Robert, "I think we can land, dress, and cook some of this +precious deer, which we have brought with us in spite of everything." + +Their clothing had been dried by the sun, and they resumed it. Then, taking +all risks, they lighted a fire, broiled tender steaks and ate like giants +who had finished great labors. + +"I think," said Tayoga, "that when we proceed a few miles farther it will +be better to leave the canoe. It is likely that as we advance the river +will become narrower, and we would be an easy target for a shot from the +bank." + +"I don't like to abandon a canoe which has brought us safely across the +lake." + +"We will put it away where it can await our coming another time. But I +think we can dare the river for some distance yet." + +Robert had spoken for the sake of precaution, and he was easily persuaded +to continue in the river some miles, as traveling by canoe was pleasant, +and after their miraculous escape or rather rescue, as it seemed to them, +their spirits, already high, were steadily rising higher. The lone little +river of the north, on which they were traveling, presented a spectacle of +uncommon beauty. Its waters flowed in a clear, silver stream down to the +lake, deeper in tint on the still reaches, and, flashing in the sunlight, +where it rushed over the shallows. + +All the time they moved between two lofty, green walls, the forest growing +so densely on either shore that they could not see back into it more than +fifty yards, while the green along its lower edges was dotted with pink and +blue and red, where the delicate wild flowers were blooming. The birds in +the odorous depths of the foliage sang incessantly, and Robert had never +before heard them sing so sweetly. + +"I don't think any of our foes can be in ambush along the river," he said. +"It's too peaceful and the birds sing with too much enthusiasm. You +remember how they warned us of danger once by all going away?" + +"True, Dagaeoga, and at any time now they may leave. But, like you, I am +willing to take the risk for several hours more. Most of the warriors must +be far south of us unless the rangers are in this region, and a special +force has been sent to meet them." + +They came by and by to a long stretch of rippling shallows, and they were +compelled to carry the canoe with its load through the woods and around +them, the task, owing to the density of the forest and thicket and the +weight of their burden, straining their muscles and drawing perspiration +from their faces. But they took consolation from the fact that game was +amazingly plentiful. Deer sprang up everywhere, and twice they caught +glimpses of bears shambling away. Squirrels chattered over their heads and +the little people of the forest rustled all about them. + +"It shows that no human being has been through here recently," said Tayoga, +"else the game, big and little, would not have been stirring abroad with so +much confidence." + +"Then as soon as we make the portage we can return to the river with the +canoe." + +"Dagaeoga grows lazy. Does he not know that to do the hard thing +strengthens both mind and body? Has he forgotten what Mynheer Jacobus +Huysman told us so often in Albany? Now is a splendid opportunity for +Dagaeoga to harden himself a great deal." + +"I realize it, Tayoga, but I don't want my mind and body to grow too hard. +When one is all steel one ceases to be receptive. Can you see the river +through the trees there?" + +"I catch the glitter of sunlight on the water." + +"I hope it looks like deep water." + +"It is sufficient to float the canoe and the lazy Dagaeoga can take to his +paddle again." + +They put their boat back into the stream, uttering great sighs of relief, +and resumed the far more pleasant travel by water, the day remaining golden +as if doing its best to please them. They had another long stretch of good +water, and they did not stop until they were well into the afternoon. Then +Tayoga proposed that they make a fire and cook all of the deer. + +"It seems that the risk here is not great," he said, "and we may not have +the chance later on." + +Robert, who still felt that they were protected and that for a day or two +no harm could come to them under any circumstances, was more than willing, +and they spent the remainder of the day in their culinary task. After dark +he slept three hours, to be followed by Tayoga for the same length of time, +and about midnight they started up the stream again, with their food cooked +and ready beside them. + +Although the Onondaga shared Robert's feeling that they were protected for +the time, both exercised all their usual caution, believing thoroughly in +the old saying that heaven helps those who help themselves. It was this +watchfulness, particularly of ear, that caused them to hear the dip of +paddles approaching up the stream. Softly and in silence, they lifted the +canoe out of water and hid with it in the greenwood. Then they saw a fleet +of eight large canoes go by, all containing warriors, armed heavily and in +full war paint. + +"Hurons," whispered Tayoga. "They go south for a great taking of scalps, +doubtless to join Montcalm, who is surely meditating another sudden and +terrible blow." + +"And he will strike at our forts by Andiatarocte," rejoined Robert. "I hope +we can find Willet and Rogers soon and take the news. All the woods must be +full of warriors going south to Montcalm." + +"They have French guns, and good ones too, and they are wrapped in French +blankets. Onontio does not forget the power of the warriors and draws them +to him." + +The silent file of war canoes passed on and out of sight, and, for a space, +Robert's heart was heavy within him. He felt the call of battle, he ought +to be in the south, giving what he could to the defense against the might +of Montcalm, but to go now would be merely a dash in the dark. They must +continue to seek Willet and Rogers. + +When the last Indian canoe was far beyond hearing they relaunched their own +and paddled until nearly daybreak, coming to a place where bushes and tall +grass grew thick in the shallow water at the edge of the river. + +"Here," said Tayoga, "we will leave the canoe. A good hiding place offers +itself, and with the dawn it will be time for us to take to the woods." + +They concealed with great art the little boat that had served them so well, +sinking it in the heart of the densest growth and then drawing back the +bushes and weeds so skillfully that the keenest Indian eye would not have +noticed that anyone had ever been there. + +"I hope," said Robert sincerely, "that we'll have the chance to return +here some time or other and use it again." + +"That rests in the keeping of Manitou," said the Onondaga, "and now we will +take up our packs and go eastward toward Oneadatote." + +"But we won't go fast, because my pack, with all this venison in it, is by +no means light." + +"It is no heavier than mine, Dagaeoga, but, as you say, we will not hasten, +lest we pass the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf in the forest and not +know it. But I think we are safe in going toward Oneadatote, as Rogers and +his rangers usually operate in the region of George and Champlain." + +They traveled two days and two nights and came once more among the high +ridges and peaks. They saw many Indian trails and always they watched for +another. On the third day Tayoga discovered traces in moss and he said with +great satisfaction to his comrade: + +"Lo, Dagaeoga, we, too, be wise in our time. The print here speaks to me +like the print on the page of a book. It says that the Great Bear has +passed this way." + +"I can tell that the traces were made by the feet of a white man," said +Robert, "but how do you know they are Dave's?" + +"I have noticed that the Great Bear's feet are more slender than the +average. Also he bears less upon the heel. He poises himself more upon the +toe, like the great swordsman we saw him to be that time in Quebec." + +"The distinctions are too fine for me, Tayoga, but I don't question your +own powers of observation. I accept your statement with gratitude and joy, +too, because now we know that Dave is alive, and somewhere in the great +northern forest of the Province of New York. I knew he could not be dead, +but it's a relief anyhow to have the proof. But as I see no other traces, +how is it, do you think, that he happens to be alone?" + +"The Great Bear may have been making a little scout by himself. I still +think that he is with Rogers and the rangers, and when we follow his trail +we are likely to find soon that he has rejoined them." + +The traces led north and east until they came to rocky ground, where they +were lost, and Tayoga assumed from the fact that they were several days +old, otherwise he could have made them out even in the more difficult +region. But when the path, despite all his searching, vanished in the air, +he began to look higher than the earth. Soon he smiled and said: + +"Ah, the Great Bear is as wise as the fox and the serpent combined. He +knows that a little chance may lead to great results, and so he neglects +none of the little chances." + +"I don't understand you," said Robert, puzzled. + +The Onondaga bent over a bush and showed where a twig had been cut off. + +"See the wound made by his knife," he said, "and look! here is another on a +bush farther on. Both wounds are partly healed, showing that the cut of the +knife was made several days ago. It occurred to the Great Bear that we +might strike his trail some time or other, and when he came to the stony +uplift upon which his moccasins would leave no sign, he made traces +elsewhere. He knew the chance of our ever seeing them was slight, and he +may have made thousands of other traces that we never will see, but the +possibility that we would see some one of the many became a probability." + +"As you present it, it seems simple, Tayoga, but what an infinity of pains +he must have taken!" + +"The Great Bear is that kind of a man." + +The hard, rocky ground extended several miles and their progress over it +was, of necessity, very slow, as Tayoga was compelled to look with extreme +care for the signs the hunter might have left. He found the cut twigs five +times and twice footprints where softer soil existed between the rocks, +making the proofs conclusive to both, and when they emerged into a normal +region beyond they picked up his defined and clear trail once more. + +"I shall be glad to see the Great Bear," said the Onondaga, "and I think he +will be as pleased to know certainly that we are alive as we are to be +assured that he is." + +"He'd never desert us, and if you hadn't come to the Indian village I think +he'd have done so later on." + +"The Great Bear is a man such as few men are. Now, his trail leads on, +straight and bold. He took no trouble to hide it, which proves that he had +friends in this region, and was not afraid to be followed. Here he sat on a +fallen log and rested a while." + +"How do you know that, Tayoga?" + +"See the prints in front of the log. They were made by the heels of his +moccasins only. He tilted his feet up until they rested merely on the +heels. The Great Bear could not have been in that attitude while standing. +Nay, there is more. The Great Bear sat down here not to rest but to think." + +"It's just supposition with you, Tayoga." + +"It is not supposition at all, Dagaeoga, it is certainty. Look, several +little pieces of the bark on the dead log where the Great Bear sat, are +picked off. Here are the places from which they were taken, and here are +the fragments themselves lying on the ground. The Great Bear must have been +thinking very hard and he must have been in great doubt to have had uneasy +hands, because, as you and I know, Dagaeoga, his mind and nerves are of the +calmest." + +"What, then, do you think was on his mind?" + +"He was undecided whether to go on towards Oneadatote or to turn back and +seek us anew. Here are three or four traces, a short and detached trail +leading in the direction from which we have come. Then the traces suddenly +turn. He sat down again and thought it over a second time." + +"You can't possibly know that he resumed his seat on the log!" + +"Oh, yes, I can, Dagaeoga. I wish all that we had to see was as easy, +because here is the second place on the log where he picked at the bark. +Mighty as the Great Bear is he cannot sit in two places at once. Not +Tododaho himself could do that." + +"It's conclusive, and I find here at the end of the log his trail, leading +on toward the east." + +"And he went fast, because the distance between his footprints lengthens. +But he did not do so long. He became very slow suddenly. The space between +the footprints shortens all at once. He turned aside, too, from his course, +and crept through the bushes toward the south." + +"How do you know that he crept?" + +"Because for many steps he rested his weight wholly on his toes. The traces +show it very clearly. The Great Bear was stalking something, and it was not +a foe." + +"That, at least, is supposition, Tayoga." + +"Not supposition, Dagaeoga, and while not absolute certainty it is a great +probability. The toeprints lead straight toward the tiny little lake that +you see shining through the foliage. It was game and not a foe that the +Great Bear was seeking. He wished to shoot a wild fowl. Look, the edge of +the lake here is low, and the tender water grasses grow to a distance of +several yards from the shore. It is just the place where wild ducks or wild +geese would be found, and the Great Bear secured the one he wanted. If you +will look closely, Dagaeoga, you will see the faint trace of blood on the +grass. Blood lasts a long time. Manitou has willed that it should be so, +because it is the life fluid of his creatures. It was a wild goose that the +Great Bear shot." + +"And why not a wild duck?" + +"Because here are two of the feathers, and even Dagaeoga knows they are +the feathers of a goose and not of a duck. It was, too, the fattest goose +in the flock." + +"Which you have no possible way of knowing, Tayoga." + +"But I do, Dagaeoga. It was the fattest goose of the flock, because the +fattest goose of the flock was the one that so wise and skillful a hunter +as the Great Bear would, as a matter of course, select and kill. Learn, O, +Dagaeoga, to trail with your mind as well as with your eye, and ear. The +day may come when the white man will equal the red man in intellect, but it +is yet far off. The Great Bear was very, very hungry, and we shall soon +reach the place where he cleaned and cooked his goose." + +"Come, come, Tayoga! You may draw good conclusions from what you see, but +there are no prophets nowadays. You don't know anything about the state of +Dave's appetite, when he shot that goose, and you can't predict with +certainty that we'll soon come to the place where he made it ready for the +eating." + +"I cannot, Dagaeoga! Why, I am doing it this very instant. Mind! Mind! Did +I not tell you to use your mind? O, Dagaeoga, when will you learn the +simpler things of life? The Great Bear would not have risked a shot at a +wild goose in enemy country, if he had not been very hungry. Otherwise he +would have waited until he rejoined the rangers to obtain food. And, having +risked his shot, and having obtained his goose, which was the fattest in +the flock, he became hungrier than ever. And having risked so much he was +willing to risk more in order to complete the task he had undertaken, +without which the other risks that he had run would have been all in vain." + +"Tayoga, I can almost believe that you have your dictionary with you in +your knapsack." + +"Not in my knapsack, Dagaeoga, but in my head, where yours also ought to +be. Ah, here is where the Great Bear began to make preparations to cook his +goose! His trail wanders back and forth. He was looking for fallen wood to +build the fire. And there, in the little sink between the hills, was where +he built it. Even you, Dagaeoga, can see the ashes and burnt ends of +sticks. The Great Bear must have been as hungry as a wolf to have eaten a +whole goose, and the fattest goose of the flock, too. How do I know he ate +it all? Look in the grass and leaves and you will find enough bones to make +the complete frame of a goose, and every bone is picked clean. Wild animals +might have gleaned on them, you say? No. Here is the trail of a wolf that +came to the dip after the Great Bear had gone, drawn by the savory odors, +but he turned back. He never really entered the dip. Why? When he stood at +the edge his acute and delicate senses told him no meat was left on the +bones, and a wolf neither makes idle exertion, nor takes foolish risk. He +went back at once. And if the wolf had not come, there is another reason +why I knew the Great Bear ate all the goose. He would not have thrown away +any of the bones with flesh still on them. He is too wise a man to waste. +He would have taken with him what was left of the goose. Having finished +his most excellent dinner, the Great Bear looked for a brook." + +"Why a brook?" + +"Because he was thirsty. Everyone is thirsty after a heavy meal. He turned +to the right, as the ground slopes down in that direction. Even you, +Dagaeoga, know that one is more likely to find a brook in a valley than on +a hilltop. Here is the brook, a fine, clear little stream with a sandy +bottom, and here is where the Great Bear knelt and drank of the cool water. +The prints of his strong knees show like carving on a wall. Finding that he +was still thirsty he came back for another drink, because the second prints +are a little distance from the first. + +"Then, after rejoicing over the tender goose and his renewed strength, he +suddenly became very cautious. The danger from the warriors, which he had +forgotten or overlooked in his hunger, returned in acute form to his mind. +He came to the brook a third time, but not to drink. He intended to wade in +the stream that he might hide his trail, which, as you well know, Dagaeoga, +is the oldest and best of all forest devices for such purposes. How many +millions of times must the people of the wilderness have used it! + +"Now the Great Bear had two ways to go in the water, up the stream or down +the stream, and you and I, Dagaeoga, think he went down the stream, because +the current leads on the whole eastward, which was the way in which he +wished to go. At least, we will choose that direction and I will take one +side of the bank and you the other." + +They followed the brook more than a mile with questing eyes, and Tayoga +detected the point at which Willet had emerged, plunging anew into the +forest. + +"Warriors, if they had picked up his trail, could have followed the brook +as we did," said Robert. + +"Of course," said Tayoga, "but the object of the Great Bear was not so much +to hide his flight as to gain time. While we went slowly, looking for the +emergence of his trail, he went fast. Now I think he meant to spend the +night in the woods alone. The rangers must still have been far away. If +they had been near he would not have felt the need of throwing off possible +pursuit." + +They followed the dim traces several hours, and then Tayoga announced with +certainty that the hunter had slept alone in the forest, wrapped in his +blanket. + +"He crept into this dense clump of bushes," he said, "and lay within their +heart, sheltered and hidden by them. You, Dagaeoga, can see where his +weight has pressed them down. Why, here is the outline of a human body +almost as clear and distinct as if it were drawn with black ink upon white +paper! And the Great Bear slept well, too. The bushes are not broken or +shoved aside except in the space merely wide enough to contain his frame. +Perhaps the goose was so very tender and his nerves and tissues had craved +it so much that they were supremely happy when he gave it to them. That is +why they rested so well. + +"In the morning the Great Bear resumed his journey toward the east. He had +no breakfast and doubtless he wished for another goose, but he was +refreshed and he was very strong. The traces are fainter than they were, +because the Great Bear was so vigorous that his feet almost spurned the +earth." + +"Don't you think, Tayoga, that he'll soon turn aside again to hunt? So +strong a man as Dave won't go long without food, especially when the forest +is full of it. We've noticed everywhere that the war has caused the game to +increase greatly in numbers." + +"It will depend upon the position of the force to which the Great Bear +belongs. If it is near he will not seek game, waiting for food until he +rejoins the rangers, but if they are distant he will look for a deer or +another goose, or maybe a duck. But by following we will see what he did. +It cannot be hidden from us. The forest has few secrets from those who are +born in it. Ah, what is this? The Great Bear hid in a bush, and he leaped +suddenly! Behold the distance between the footprints! He saw something that +alarmed him. It may have been a war party passing, and of which he suddenly +caught sight. If so we can soon tell." + +A hundred yards beyond the clump of bushes they found a broad trail, +indicating that at least twenty warriors had gone by, their line of march +leading toward the southeast. + +"They were in no hurry," said the Onondaga, "as they had no fear of +enemies. Their steps are irregular, showing that sometimes they stopped and +talked. Doubtless they meant to join Montcalm, but as they can travel much +faster than an army they were taking their time about it. We will now +return to the bushes in which the Great Bear lay hidden while he watched. +The traces of his footsteps in the heart of the clump are much deeper than +usual, which proves that he stood there quite a while. It is also another +proof that the warriors stopped and talked when they were near him, else he +would not have remained in the clump so long. It is likely, too, that the +Great Bear followed them when they resumed their journey. Yes, here is his +trail leading from the bushes. But it is faint, the Great Bear was stepping +lightly and here is where it merges with the trail of the warriors. He +could not have been more than three or four hundred yards behind them. The +Great Bear was very bold, or else they were very careless. He will not +follow them long, as he merely wishes to get a general idea of their +course, it being his main object to rejoin the rangers." + +"And at this point he turned away from their trail," said Robert, after +they had followed it about a mile. "He is now going due east, and his +traces lead on so straight that he must have known exactly where he +intended to go." + +"Stated with much correctness," said Tayoga in his precise school English. +"Dagaeoga is taking to heart my assertion that the mind is intended for +human use, and he is beginning to think a little. But we shall have to stop +soon for a while, because the night comes. We, too, will sleep in the heart +of the bushes as the Great Bear did." + +"And glad am I to stop," said Robert. "My burden of buffalo robe and deer +and arms and ammunition is beginning to weigh on me. A buffalo robe doesn't +seem of much use on a warm, summer day, but it is such a fine one and you +took so much trouble to get it for me, Tayoga, that I haven't had the heart +to abandon it." + +"It is well that you have brought it, in spite of its weight," said the +Onondaga, "as the night, at this height, is sure to be cold, and the robe +will envelop you in its warmth. See, the dark comes fast." + +The sun sank behind the forest, and the twilight advanced, the deeper dusk +following in its trail, a cold wind began to blow out of the north, and +Robert, as Tayoga had predicted, was thankful now that he had retained the +buffalo robe, despite its weight. He wrapped it around his body and sat on +a blanket in a thicket. Tayoga, by his side, used his two blankets in a +similar manner, and they ate of the deer which they had had the forethought +to cook, and make ready for all times. + +The dusk deepened into the thick dark, and the night grew colder, but they +were warm and at ease. Robert was full of courage and hope. The elements +and all things had served them so much that he was quite sure they would +succeed in everything they undertook. By and by, he stretched himself on +the blanket, and clothed from head to foot in the great robe he slept the +deep sleep of one who had toiled hard and well. An hour later Tayoga also +slept, but in another hour he awoke and sat up, listening with all the +marvelous powers of hearing that nature and cultivation had given him. + +Something was stirring in the thicket, not any of the wild animals, big or +little, but a human being, and Tayoga knew the chances were a hundred to +one that it was a hostile human being. He put his ear to the earth and the +sound came more clearly. Now his wonderful gifts of intuition and forest +reasoning told him what it was. Slowly he rose again, cleared himself of +the blankets, and put his rifle upon them. Then, loosening the pistol in +his belt, but drawing his long hunting knife, he crept from the thicket. + +Tayoga, despite his thorough white education and his constant association +with white comrades, was always an Indian first. Now, as he stole from the +thicket in the dark, knife in hand, he was the very quintessence of a great +warrior of the clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great +League of the Hodenosaunee. He was what his ancestors had been for +unnumbered generations, a primeval son of the wilderness, seeking the life +of the enemy who came seeking his. + +He kept to his hands and knees, and made no sound as he advanced, but at +intervals he dropped his ear to the ground, and heard the faint rustling +that was drawing nearer. He decided that it was a single warrior who by +some chance had struck their trail in the dusk, and who, with minute pains +and with slowness but certainty, was following it. + +His course took him about thirty yards among the bushes and then through +high grass growing luxuriantly in the open. In the grass his eye also +helped him, because at a point straight ahead the tall stems were moving +slightly in a direction opposed to the wind. He took the knife in his teeth +and went on, sure that bold means would be best. + +The stalking warrior who in his turn was stalked did not hear him until he +was near, and then, startled, he sprang to his feet, knife in hand. Tayoga +snatched his own from his teeth and stood erect facing him. The warrior, a +Huron, was the heavier though not the taller of the two, and recognizing an +enemy, a hated Iroquois, he stared fiercely into the eyes that were so +close to his. Then he struck, but, agile as a panther, Tayoga leaped aside, +and the next instant his own blade went home. The Huron sank down without a +sound, and the Onondaga stood over him, the spirit of his ancestors +swelling in fierce triumph. + +But the feeling soon died in the heart of Tayoga. His second nature, which +was that of his white training and association, prevailed. He was sorry +that he had been compelled to take life, and, dragging the heavy body much +farther away, he hid it in the bushes. Then, making a circle through the +forest to assure himself that no other enemies were near, he went swiftly +back to the thicket and lay down again between his blankets. He had a +curious feeling that he did not want Robert to know what had happened. + +Tayoga remained awake the remainder of the night, and, although he did not +stir again from the thicket, he kept a vigilant watch. He would hear any +sound within a hundred yards and he would know what it was, but there was +none save the rustlings of the little animals, and dawn came, peaceful and +clear. Robert moved, threw off the buffalo robe and stood up among the +bushes. + +"A big sleep and a fine sleep, Tayoga," he said. + +"It was a good time for Dagaeoga to sleep," said the Onondaga. + +"I was warm, and your Tododaho watched over me." + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, Tododaho was watching well last night." + +"And you slept well, too, Tayoga?" + +"I slept as I should, Dagaeoga. No man can ask more." + +"Philosophical and true. It's breakfast now, slices of deer, and water of a +brook. Deer is good, Tayoga, but I'm beginning to find I could do without +it for quite a long time. I envy Dave the fat goose he had, and I don't +wonder that he ate it all at one time. Maybe we could find a juicy goose or +duck this morning." + +"But we have the deer and the Great Bear had nothing when he sought the +goose. We will even make the best of what we have, and take no risk." + +"It was merely a happy thought of mine, and I didn't expect it to be +accepted. My happiest thoughts are approved by myself alone, and so I'll +keep 'em to myself. My second-rate thoughts are for others, over the heads +of whom they will not pass." + +"Dagaeoga is in a good humor this morning." + +"It is because I slept so well last night. Now, having had a sufficiency of +the deer I shall seek a brook. I'm pretty sure to find one in the low +ground over there." + +He started to the right, but Tayoga immediately suggested that he go to +the left--the hidden body of the warrior lay in the bushes on the +right--and Robert, never dreaming of the reason, tried the left where he +found plenty of good water. Tayoga also drank, and with some regret they +left the lair in the bushes. + +"It was a good house," said Robert. "It lacked only walls, a roof and a +floor, and it had an abundance of fresh air. I've known worse homes for the +night." + +"Take up your buffalo robe again," said the Onondaga, "because when another +night comes you will need it as before." + +They shouldered their heavy burdens and resumed the trail of the hunter, +expecting that it would soon show a divergence from its straight course. + +"The rangers seem to be farther away than we thought," said Tayoga, "and +the Great Bear must eat. One goose, however pleasant the memory, will not +last forever. It is likely that he will turn aside again to one of the +little lakes or ponds that are so numerous in this region." + +In two hours they found that he had done so, and this time his victim was a +duck, as the feathers showed. They saw the ashes where he had cooked it, +and as before only the bones were left. Evidently he had lingered there +some time, as Tayoga announced a distinctly fresher trail, indicating that +they were gaining upon him fast, and they increased their own speed, hoping +that they would soon overtake him. + +But the traces led on all day, and the next morning, after another night +spent in the thickets, Tayoga said that the Great Bear was still far +ahead, and it was possible they might not overtake him until they +approached the shores of Champlain. + +"But if necessary we'll follow him there, won't we, Tayoga?" said Robert. + +"To Oneadatote and beyond, if need be," said the Onondaga with confidence. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +READING THE SIGNS + +On the third day the trail of the Great Bear was well among the ranges and +Tayoga calculated that they could not be many hours behind him, but all the +evidence, as they saw it, showed conclusively that he was going toward Lake +Champlain. + +"It seems likely to me," said the Onondaga, "that he left the rangers to +seek us, and that Rogers meanwhile would move eastward. Having learned in +some way or other that he could not find us, he will now follow the rangers +wherever they may go." + +"And we will follow him wherever he goes," said Robert. + +An hour later the Onondaga uttered an exclamation, and pointed to the +trail. Another man coming from the south had joined Willet. The traces were +quite distinct in the grass, and it was also evident from the character of +the footsteps that the stranger was white. + +"A wandering hunter or trapper? A chance meeting?" said Robert. + +Tayoga shook his head. + +"Then a ranger who was out on a scout, and the two are going on together to +join Rogers?" + +"Wrong in both cases," he said. "I know who joined the Great Bear, as well +as if I saw him standing there in the footprints he has made. It was not a +wandering hunter and it was not a ranger. You will notice, Dagaeoga, that +these traces are uncommonly large. They are not slender like the footprints +of the Great Bear, but broad as well as long. Why, I should know anywhere +in the world what feet made them. Think, Dagaeoga!" + +"I don't seem to recall." + +"Willet is a great hunter and scout, among the bravest of men, skillful on +the trail, and terrible in battle, but the man who is now with him is all +these also. A band attacking the two would have no easy task to conquer +them. You have seen both on the trail in the forest and you have seen both +in battle. Try hard to think, Dagaeoga!" + +"Black Rifle!" + +"None other. It is far north for him, but he has come, and he and the Great +Bear were glad to see each other. Here they stood and shook hands." + +"There is not a possible sign to indicate such a thing." + +"Only the certain rules of logic. Once again I bid you use your mind. We +see with it oftener than with the eye. White men, when they are good +friends and meet after a long absence, always shake hands. So my mind tells +me with absolute certainty that the Great Bear and Black Rifle did so. Then +they talked together a while. Now the eye tells me, because here are +footsteps in a little group that says so, and then they walked on, +fearless of attack. It is an easy trail to follow." + +He announced in a half hour that they were about to enter an old camp of +the two men. + +"Any child of the Hodenosaunee could tell that it is so," he said, "because +their trails now separate. Black Rifle turns off to the right, and the +Great Bear goes to the left. We will follow Black Rifle first. He wandered +about apparently in aimless fashion, but he had a purpose nevertheless. He +was looking for firewood. We need not follow the trail of the Great Bear, +because his object was surely the same. They were so confident of their +united strength that they built a fire to cook food and take away the +coldness of the night. Although Great Bear had no food it was not necessary +for him to hunt, because Black Rifle had enough for both. The fact that the +Great Bear did not go away in search of game proves it. + +"I think we will find the remains of their fire just beyond the low hill on +the crest of which the bushes grow so thick. Once more it is mind and not +eye that tells me so, Dagaeoga. They would build a fire near because they +had begun to look for firewood, which is always plentiful in the forest, +and they would surely choose the dip which lies beyond the hill, because +the circling ridge with its frieze of bushes would hide the flames. +Although sure of their strength they did not neglect caution." + +They passed over the hill, and found the dead embers of the fire. + +"After they had built it Black Rifle sat on that side and the Great Bear +on this," said Tayoga, "and while they were getting it ready the Great Bear +concluded to add something on his own account to the supper." + +"What do you mean, Tayoga? Is this mind or eye?" + +"A combination of the two. The Great Bear is a wonderful marksman, as we +know, and while sitting on the log that he had drawn up before the fire, he +shot his game out of the tall oak on our right." + +"This is neither eye nor mind, Tayoga, it is just fancy." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is mostly eye, though helped by mind. My conclusion that +he was sitting, when he pulled the trigger is mind chiefly. He would not +have drawn up the log unless he had been ready to sit down, and everything +was complete for the supper. The Great Bear never rests until his work is +done, and he is so marvelous with the rifle that it was not necessary for +him to rise when he fired. Wilderness life demands so much of the body that +the Great Bear never makes needless exertion. There mind works, Dagaeoga, +but the rest is all eye. The squirrel was on the curved bough of the oak, +the one that projects toward the north." + +"You assume a good deal to say that it was a squirrel and surely mind not +eye would select the particular bough on which he sat." + +"No, Dagaeoga, eye served the whole purpose. All the other branches are +almost smothered in leaves, but the curved one is nearly bare. It is only +there that the casual glance of the Great Bear, who was not at that time +seeking game, would have caught sight of the squirrel. Also, he must have +been there, otherwise his body could not have fallen directly beneath it, +when the bullet went through his head." + +"Now tell me how your eye knows his body fell from the bough." + +"Ah, Dagaeoga! Your eye was given to you for use as mine was given to me, +then you should use it; in the forest you are lost unless you do. It was my +eye that saw the unmistakable sign, the sign from which all the rest +followed. Look closely and you will detect a little spot of red on the +grass just beneath the bare bough. It was blood from the squirrel." + +"You cannot be sure that it was a squirrel. It might have been a pigeon or +some other bird." + +"That, O, Dagaeoga, would be the easiest of all, even for you, if you could +only use your eyes, as I bid you. Almost at your feet lies a slender bone +that cannot be anything but the backbone of a squirrel. Beyond it are two +other bones, which came from the same body. We know as certainly that it +was a squirrel as we know that the Great Bear ate first a wild goose, and +then a wild duck. But it is a good camp that those two great men made, and, +as the night is coming, we will occupy it." + +They relighted the abandoned fire, warmed their food and ate, and Robert +was once more devoutly glad that he had kept the heavy buffalo robe. Deep +fog came over the mountain soon after dark, and, after a while, a fine +cold, and penetrating rain was shed from the heart of it. They kept the +fire burning and wrapped, Tayoga in his blankets, and, Robert in the robe, +crouched before it. Then they drew the logs that the Great Bear and Black +Rifle had left, in such position that they could lean their backs against +them, and slept, though not the two at the same time. They agreed that it +was wise to keep watch and Robert was sentinel first. + +Tayoga, supported by the log, slept soundly, the flames illuminating his +bronze face and showing the very highest type of the Indian. Robert sat +opposite, his rifle across his knees, but covered by his blanket to protect +it from the fine rain, which was not only cold but insidious, trying to +insert itself beneath his clothing and chill his body. But he kept himself +covered so well that none reached him, and the very wildness of his +surroundings increased his sense of intense physical comfort. + +He did not stir, except now and then to put a fresh chunk of wood on the +fire, and the red blaze between Tayoga and himself was for a time the +center of the world. The cold, white fog was rolling up everywhere thick +and impenetrable, and the fine rain, like a heavy dew that was distilled +from it, fell incessantly. Robert knew that it was moving up the valleys +and clothing all the peaks and ridges. He knew, too, that it would hide +them from their enemies and his sense of comfort grew with the knowledge. +But his conviction that they were safe did not make him relax caution, and, +since eye was useless in the fog, he made extreme call upon ear. + +It seemed to him that the fog was a splendid conductor of sound. It brought +him the rustling of the foliage, the moaning of the light wind through the +ravines, and, at last, another sound, sharp, distinct, a discordant note in +the natural noises of the wilderness, which were always uniform and +harmonious. He heard it a second time, to his right, down the hill, and he +was quite sure that it indicated the presence of man, man who in reality +was near, but whom the fog took far away. The vapors, however, would lift, +then man might come close, and he felt that it was his part to discover who +and what he was. + +Still wrapped in the buffalo robe, he rose and took a few steps from the +fire. Tayoga did not stir, and he was proud that his tread had been without +noise. Beyond the rim of firelight, he paused and listening again heard the +clank twice, not very loud but coming sharp and definite as before through +the vapory air. He parted the bushes very carefully and went down the side +of a ravine, the wet boughs and twigs making no noise as they closed up +after his passage. + +But his progress was very slow, purposely so, as he knew that any mistake +or accident might be fatal, and he intended that no fault of his should +precipitate such a crisis. Once or twice he thought of going back, deeming +his a foolish quest, lost in a wilderness of bushes and blinding fog, but +the sharp, clear clank stirred his purpose anew, and he went on down the +slope, until he saw a red glow in the heart of the fog. Then he sank down +among the bushes and listened with intentness. Presently the faint hum of +voices came to his ear, and he was quite sure that many men were not far +away. + +He resumed his slow advance, but now he was glad the bushes were soaked +with water, as they did not crackle or snap with the passage of his body, +and the luminous glow in front of him broadened and deepened steadily. Near +the bottom of a deep valley he stopped and from his covert saw where great +fires had driven the fog away. Around the fires were many warriors, some of +them sleeping in their blankets, while others were eating prodigiously, +after their manner. Rifles and muskets were stacked in French fashion and +the clank, clank that Robert had heard had been made by the warriors as +they put up their weapons. + +Many were talking freely and seemed to rejoice in the food and fires. It +was Robert's surmise that they had arrived but recently and were weary. +Their numbers were large, they certainly could not be less than four or +five hundred, and his experience was great enough now to tell him that half +of them, at least, were Canadian Indians. All were in war paint, and they +had an abundance of arms. + +Robert's eager eye sought Tandakora, but did not find him. He had no doubt, +however, that this great body of warriors was moving against Rogers and his +rangers, and that it would soon be joined by the Ojibway chief. Tandakora, +anxious for revenge upon the Great Bear and the Mountain Wolf, would be +willing to leave Montcalm for a while if he thought that by doing so he +could achieve his purpose. His gaze wandered from the warriors to the +stacked rifles and muskets, and he saw that many of them were of English +or American make, undoubtedly spoil taken at the capture of Oswego. His +heart swelled with anger that the border should have its own weapons turned +against it by the foe. + +It did not take him long to see enough. It was a powerful force, equipped +to strike, and now he was more anxious than ever to overtake Willet. The +fog was still thick and wet, distilling the fine rain, but he had forgotten +discomfort, and, turning back on his path, he sought the dip in which he +had left Tayoga sleeping. He felt a certain pride that it had been his +fortune to discover the band, and, as he had marked carefully the way by +which he had come, it was not a difficult task to retrace his steps. + +The Onondaga was still sleeping, his back against the log, but he awoke +instantly when Robert touched him gently on the shoulder. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he whispered. "You have seen something! Your face +tells me so!" + +"My face tells you the truth," replied Robert. "There is a valley only a +few hundred yards from us, and, in it, are about four hundred warriors, +armed for battle. All the signs indicate that they are going eastward in +search of our friends." + +"You have done well, Dagaeoga. You have used both eye and mind. Was +Tandakora there?" + +"No, but I'm convinced he soon will be." + +"It appears likely. They think, perhaps, they are strong enough to +annihilate the rangers." + +"Maybe they are, unless the rangers are warned. We ought to move at once." + +"But the fog is too thick. We could not tell which way we were going. We +must not lose the trail of the Great Bear and Black Rifle, and, if the fog +lifts, we can regain it in the morning, going ahead of the war band." + +"And then the warriors may pursue us." + +"What does it matter, if we keep well ahead of them and overtake the Great +Bear and Black Rifle, who are surely going toward the rangers? We will put +out the fire, Dagaeoga, and stay here. The fog protects us. Now, you sleep +and I will watch." + +His calmness was reassuring, and it was true that the fog was an almost +certain protection, while it lasted. They smothered the fire carefully, and +then, Robert was sufficient master of his nerves, to go to sleep, wrapped +in the invaluable buffalo robe. The Onondaga kept vigilant watch. His own +ear, too, heard the occasional sound made by human beings in the valley +below, but he did not stir from his place. He had absolute confidence in +Robert's report, and he would not take any unnecessary risk. + +An hour or two before dawn a wind began to rise, and Tayoga knew by feeling +rather than sight that the fog was beginning to thin. If the wind held, it +would all blow away by sunrise, and the rain with it. He awakened Robert at +once. + +"I think we would better move now," he said. "We shall soon be able to see +our way, and a good start ahead of the war band is important." + +They made a northward curve, passing around the valley, in which the camp +of the warriors lay, and, when the sun showed its first luminous edge over +the horizon, they were several miles ahead. The steady wind had carried all +the fog and rain to the southward, but the forest was still wet and +dripping. + +"And now," said Tayoga, "we must pick up anew the trail of the Great Bear +and Black Rifle. We are sure they were continuing east, and by ranging back +and forth from north to south and from south to north we can find it." + +It was a full two hours before they discovered it, leading up a narrow +gorge, and Robert grew anxious lest the war band was already on their own +traces, which the warriors were sure to see in time. So they hastened their +own pursuit and very soon came to a thicket in which the two redoubtable +scouts had passed the night. The trail leading from it was comparatively +fresh and Tayoga was hopeful that they might overtake them before the next +sunset. + +"They do not hurry," he said. "The Great Bear has been telling Black Rifle +of us, and now and then it was their thought to go back into the west to +make another hunt for us. My certainty about it is based on nothing in the +trail. It is just mind once more. It is exactly the idea that a valiant and +patient man like the Great Bear would have, and it would appeal too, to the +soul of such a great warrior as Black Rifle. But after thinking well upon +it, they have decided that the search would be vain for the present, and +once more they go on, though the wish to find us puts weights on their +feet." + +Before noon they came to a place where Black Rifle shot a deer. The +useless portions of the body that the two had left behind spoke a language +none could fail to understand, and they were sure it was Black Rifle who +had fired the shot, because his broader footprints led to the place where +the body had fallen. + +"It proves," said Tayoga, "that the rangers are still well ahead, else two +such wise men as the Great Bear and Black Rifle would not take the trouble +to kill a deer here and carry so much weight with them. It is likely that +the Mountain Wolf and his men are on the shores of Oneadatote itself." + +All that afternoon the trail went upward higher and higher among the ranges +and peaks, but the infallible eye of Tayoga never lost it for a moment. + +"We will not overtake them today, as I had hoped," he said, "but we shall +certainly do so tomorrow before noon." + +"And the coming night is going to offer a striking contrast to the one just +passed," said Robert. "It will be crystal clear." + +"So it will, Dagaeoga, and we will seek a camp among the rocks. It is best +to leave no traces for the warriors." + +They traveled a long distance on the stony uplift before they stopped for +the night, and they did not build any fire, dividing the time into two +watches, each kept with great vigilance. But the pursuit which they were so +sure was now on did not overtake them, and early in the morning they were +once more on the traces of the two hunters. + +"It is now sure we shall reach them before noon," said Tayoga, "but in +what manner we shall first see them I do not know. The trail has become +wonderfully fresh. Ah, they turned suddenly from their course here, and +soon they came back to it, at a point not more than ten feet away. We need +not follow them on their loop to see where they went. We know without +going. They climbed the steep little peak we see on the right, from the +crest of which they had a splendid view over an immense stretch of country +behind us. They looked in that direction because that was the point from +which pursuit or danger would come. The band behind us built a fire, and +the Great Bear and Black Rifle saw its smoke. They saw the smoke because +they could see nothing else so far behind them. After a good look, they +went on at their leisure. They had no fear. It was easy for such as they to +leave the band well in the rear, if they wished." + +"If they haven't changed greatly since we last saw 'em," said Robert, +"they'll go all the more slowly because of the pursuit, and we may catch +'em in a couple of hours. Won't Dave be surprised when he sees us?" + +"It will be a pleasant surprise for him. Here, they have stopped again, and +one of them climbed the tall elm for another view, while the other stood +guard by the trunk. I think, Dagaeoga, that the Great Bear and Black Rifle +were beginning to think less of flight than of battle." + +"You don't mean that knowing the presence of the band behind us they +intended to meet it?" + +"Not to stop it, of course, but spirits such as theirs might have a desire +to harm it a little, and impede its advance. In any event, Dagaeoga, we +shall soon see. Here is where the climber came down, and then the two went +on, walking slowly. They walked slowly, because the traces indicate that +they turned back often, and looked toward the point at which they had seen +the smoke rising. My mind tells me that the Great Bear thought it better to +continue straight ahead, but that Black Rifle was anxious to linger, and +get a few shots at the enemy. It is so, because the Great Bear, as we know, +is naturally cautious and would wish to do what is of the most service in +the campaign, while it is always the desire of Black Rifle to injure the +enemy as much as he can." + +"Your reasoning seems conclusive to me." + +"Did I not tell you, Dagaeoga, that you had the beginnings of a mind? Use +it sedulously, and it will grow yet more." + +"And the time may come when I can talk out of a dictionary as you do, +Tayoga." + +"Which merely proves, Dagaeoga, that those who learn a language always talk +it better than those who are born to it. Ah, they have turned once more, +and the trail leads again to the crest of a hill, where they will take +another long look backward. It seems that the wishes of Black Rifle are +about to prevail. Now we are at the top of the hill, and they stood here +several minutes talking and moving about, as the traces show very clearly. +But look, Dagaeoga, they saw something very much closer at hand than smoke. +Their talk was interrupted with great suddenness, and they took to ambush. +They crouched among these bushes, and you and I know they were a very +dangerous pair with their rifles ready. Still, Dagaeoga, instead of their +taking the battle to the warriors the battle was brought to them." + +"You think, then, an encounter occurred?" + +"I know it. They did not stay crouched here until the enemy went away, but +moved off down the hill, their course on the whole leading away from the +lake. The enemy was before them, because they kept among the bushes, always +in the densest part of them. Here they knelt. The bent grass stems indicate +the pressure of knees. The warriors must have been very close. + +"Now the trail divides. Look, Dagaeoga! Black Rifle went to the right and +the Great Bear to the left. They formed a plan to flank the enemy and to +assail him from two sides. I should judge then that the warriors did not +number more than five or six. We will follow the Great Bear, who made the +slender traces, and if necessary we will come back and follow also those of +Black Rifle. But I think we can read the full account of the contest which +most certainly occurred from the evidence that the Great Bear left." + +"You feel quite sure then that there was fighting?" + +"Yes. It is not an opinion formed from the signs yet seen, but it is drawn +from the characters of the Great Bear and Black Rifle. They would not have +taken so much care unless there was the certainty of conflict. Here the +Great Bear knelt again, and took a long look at his enemy or at least at +the place where his enemy was lying. They were coming to close quarters or +he would not have knelt and waited. Perhaps he held his fire because Black +Rifle was making the wider circuit, and they meant to use their rifles at +the same time." + +The Onondaga was on his own knees now, examining the faint trail intently, +his eyes alight with interest. + +"The event will not be delayed long," he said, "because the Great Bear +stopped continually, seeking an opportunity for a shot. Here he pulled the +trigger." + +He picked up a minute piece of the burned wadding of the muzzle-loading +rifle. + +"The warrior at whom he fired was bound to have been in the thicket beyond +the open space," he said, "and it was there that he fell. He fell because +at such a critical time the Great Bear would not have fired unless he was +sure of his aim. We will look into the thicket" + +They found several spots of blood among the bushes and at another point +about twenty feet away they saw more. + +"Here is where the warrior fell before Black Rifle's bullet," said Tayoga. +"He and the Great Bear must have fired almost at the same time. Undoubtedly +the warriors retreated at once, carrying their dead with them. Let us see +if they did not unite, and leave the thicket at the farthest point from our +two friends." + +The trail was very clear at the place the Onondaga had indicated, and also +many more red spots were there leading away toward the east. + +"We will not follow them." said Tayoga, "because they do not interest us +any more. They have retreated and they do not longer enter into your +campaign and mine, Dagaeoga. We will go back and see where the left wing of +our army, that was the Great Bear, reunited with the right wing, that was +Black Rifle." + +They found the point of junction not far away, and then the deliberate +trail led once more toward Champlain, the two pursuing it several hours in +silence and both noticing that it was rapidly growing fresher. At length +Tayoga stopped on the crest of a ridge and said: + +"We no longer need to seek their trail, Dagaeoga, because I will now talk +with the Great Bear and Black Rifle." + +"Very good, Tayoga. I am anxious to hear what you will say and how you will +say it." + +A bird sang at Robert's side. It was Tayoga trilling forth a melody, +wonderfully clear and penetrating, a melody that carried far up the still +valley beyond. + +"You will remember, Dagaeoga," he said, "that we have often used this call +with the Great Bear. The reply will soon come." + +The two listened and Robert's heart beat hard. He owed much to Willet. +Their relationship was almost that of son and father, and the two were +about to meet after a long parting. He never doubted for a moment that the +Onondaga had always read the trail aright, and that Willet was with Black +Rifle in the valley below them. + +Full and clear rose the song of a bird out of the dense bushes that filled +the valley. When it was finished Tayoga sang again, and the reply came as +before. The two went rapidly down the slope and the stalwart figures of +the hunter and Black Rifle rose to meet them. The four did not say much, +but in every case the grasp of the hand was strong and long. + +"I went west in search of you, Robert," said the hunter, "but I was +compelled to come back, because of the great events that are forward here. +I felt, however, that Tayoga was there looking for you and would do all any +number of human beings could do." + +"He found me and rescued me," said Robert, "and what of yourself, Dave?" + +"I'm attached, for the present, to the rangers under Rogers. He's on the +shores of Champlain, and he's trying to hold back a big Indian army that +means to march south and join Montcalm for an attack on Fort William Henry +or Fort Edward." + +"And there's a great Indian war band behind you, too, Dave." + +"We know it. We saw their smoke. We also had an encounter with some +scouting warriors." + +"We know that, too, Dave. You ambushed 'em and divided your force, one of +you going to the right and the other to the left. Two of their warriors +fell before your bullets, and then they fled, carrying their slain with +them." + +"Correct to every detail. I suppose Tayoga read the signs." + +"He did, and he also told me when he rescued me that you had carried the +text of the letter we took from Garay to Colonel Johnson in time, and that +the force of St. Luc was turned back." + +"Yes, the preparations for defense made an attack by him hopeless, and +when his vanguard was defeated in the forest he gave up the plan." + +They did not stop long, as they knew the great war band behind them was +pressing forward, but they felt little fear of it, as they were able to +make high speed of their own, despite the weight of their packs, and for +several days and nights they traveled over peaks and ridges, stopping only +at short intervals for sleep. They had no sign from the band behind them, +but they knew it was always there, and that it would probably unite at the +lake with the force the rangers were facing. + +It was about noon of a gleaming summer day when Robert, from the crest of a +ridge, saw once more the vast sheet of water extending a hundred and +twenty-five miles north and south, that the Indians called Oneadatote and +the white men Champlain, and around which and upon which an adventurous +part of his own life had passed. His heart beat high, he felt now that the +stage was set again for great events, and that his comrades and he would, +as before, have a part in the war that was shaking the Old World as well as +the New. + +In the afternoon they met rangers and before night they were in the camp of +Rogers, which included about three hundred men, and which was pitched in a +strong position at the edge of the lake. The Mountain Wolf greeted them +with great warmth. + +"You're a redoubtable four," he said, "and I could wish that instead of +only four I was receiving four hundred like you." + +He showed intense anxiety, and soon confided his reasons to Willet. + +"You've brought me news," he said, "that a big war band is coming from the +west, and my scouts had told me already that a heavy force is to the +northward, and what is worst of all, the northern force is commanded by St. +Luc. It seems that he did not go south with Montcalm, but drew off an army +of both French and Indians for our destruction. He remembers his naval and +land defeat by us and naturally he wants revenge. He is helped, too, by the +complete command of the lake, that the French now hold. Since we've been +pressed southward we've lost Champlain." + +"And of course St. Luc is eager to strike," said Willet. "He can recover +his lost laurels and serve France at the same time. If we're swept away +here, both the French and the Indians will pour down in a flood from Canada +upon the Province of New York." + +Robert did not hear this talk, as he was seeking in the ranger camp the +repose that he needed so badly. He had brought with him some remnants of +food and the great buffalo robe that Tayoga had secured for him with so +much danger from the Indian village. Now he put down the robe, heaved a +mighty sigh of relief and said to the Onondaga: + +"I'm proud of myself as a carrier, Tayoga, but I think I've had enough. I'm +glad the trail has ended squarely against the deep waters of Lake +Champlain." + +"And yet, Dagaeoga, it is a fine robe." + +"So it is. I should be the last to deny it, but now that we're with the +rangers I mean to carry nothing but my arms and ammunition. To appreciate +what it is to be without burdens you must have borne them." + +The hospitable rangers would not let the two youths do any work for the +present, and so they took a luxurious bath in the lake, which they +commanded as far as the bullets from their rifles could reach. They +rejoiced in the cool waters, after their long flight through the +wilderness. + +"It's almost worth so many days and nights of danger to have this," said +Robert, swimming with strong strokes. + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, it is splendid," said the Onondaga, "but see that you do +not swim too far. Remember that for the time Oneadatote belongs to Onontio. +We had it, but we have lost it." + +"Then we'll get it back again," said Robert courageously. "Champlain is too +fine a lake to lose forever. Wait until I've had a big sleep. Then my brain +will be clear, and I'll tell how it ought to be done." + +The two returned to land, dressed, and slept by the campfire. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +ST. LUC'S REVENGE + +When Robert awoke from a long and deep sleep he became aware, at once, that +the anxious feeling in the camp still prevailed. Rogers was in close +conference with Willet, Black Rifle and several of his own leaders beside a +small fire, and, at times, they looked apprehensively toward the north or +west, a fact indicating to the lad very clearly whence the danger was +expected. Most of the scouts had come in, and, although Robert did not know +it, they had reported that the force of St. Luc, advancing in a wide curve, +and now including the western band, was very near. It was the burden of +their testimony, too, that he now had at least a thousand men, of whom +one-third were French or Canadians. + +Tayoga was sitting on a high point of the cliff, watching the lake, and +Robert joined him. The face of the young Onondaga was very grave. + +"You look for an early battle, I suppose," said Robert. + +"Yes, Dagaeoga," replied his comrade, "and it will be fought with the odds +heavily against us. I think the Mountain Wolf should not have awaited Sharp +Sword here, but who am I to give advice to a leader, so able and with so +much experience?" + +"But we beat St. Luc once in a battle by a lake!" + +"Then we had a fleet, and, for the time, at least, we won command of the +lake. Now the enemy is supreme on Oneadatote. If we have any canoes on its +hundred and twenty-five miles of length they are lone and scattered, and +they stay in hiding near its shores." + +"Why are you watching its waters now so intently, Tayoga?" + +"To see the sentinels of the foe, when they come down from the north. Sharp +Sword is too great a general not to use all of his advantages in battle. He +will advance by water as well as by land, but, first he will use his eyes, +before he permits his hand to strike. Do you see anything far up the lake, +Dagaeoga?" + +"Only the sunlight on the waters." + +"Yes, that is all. I believed, for a moment or two, that I saw a black dot +there, but it was only my fancy creating what I expected my sight to +behold. Let us look again all around the horizon, where it touches the +water, following it as we would a line. Ah, I think I see a dark speck, +just a black mote at this distance, and I am still unable to separate fancy +from fact, but it may be fact. What do you think, Dagaeoga?" + +"My thought has not taken shape yet, Tayoga, but if 'tis fancy then 'tis +singularly persistent. I see the black mote too, to the left, toward the +western shore of the lake, is it not?" + +"Aye, Dagaeoga, that is where it is. If we are both the victims of fancy +then our illusions are wonderfully alike. Think you that we would imagine +exactly the same thing at exactly the same place?" + +"No, I don't! And as I live, Tayoga, the mote is growing larger! It takes +on the semblance of reality, and, although very far from us, it's my belief +that it's moving this way!" + +"Again my fancy is the same as yours and it is not possible that they +should continue exactly alike through all changes. That which may have been +fancy in the beginning has most certainly turned into fact, and the black +mote that we see upon the waters is in all probability a hostile canoe +coming to spy upon us." + +They watched the dark dot detach itself from the horizon and grow +continuously until their eyes told them, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that +it was a canoe containing two warriors. It was moving swiftly and presently +Rogers and Willet came to look at it. The two warriors brought their light +craft on steadily, but stopped well out of rifle shot, where they let their +paddles rest and gazed long at the shore. + +"It is like being without a right arm to have no force upon the lake," said +Rogers. + +"It cripples us sorely," said Willet. "Perhaps we'd better swallow our +pride, bitter though the medicine may be, and retreat at speed." + +"I can't do it," said Rogers. "I'm here to hold back St. Luc, if I can, and +moreover, 'tis too late. We'd be surrounded in the forest and probably +annihilated." + +"I suppose you're right. We'll meet him where we stand, and when the +battle is over, whatever may be its fortunes, he'll know that he had a real +fight." + +They walked away from the lake, and began to arrange their forces to the +most advantage, but Robert and Tayoga remained on the cliff. They saw the +canoe go back toward the north, melt into the horizon line, and then +reappear, but with a whole brood of canoes. All of them advanced rapidly, +and they stretched into a line half way across the lake. Many were great +war canoes, containing eight or ten men apiece. + +"Now the attack by land is at hand," said Tayoga. "Sharp Sword is sure to +see that his two forces move forward at the same time. Hark!" + +They heard the report of a rifle shot in the forest, then another and +another. Willet joined them and said it was the wish of Rogers that they +remain where they were, as a small force was needed at that point to +prevent a landing by the Indians. A fire from the lake would undoubtedly be +opened upon their flank, but if the warriors could be kept in their canoes +it could not become very deadly. Black Rifle came also, and he, Willet, +Robert, Tayoga and ten of the rangers lying down behind some trees at the +edge of the cliff, watched the water. + +The Indian fleet hovered a little while out of rifle shot. Meanwhile the +firing in the forest grew. Bullets from both sides pattered on leaves and +bark, and the shouts of besieged and besiegers mingled, but the members of +the force on the cliff kept their eyes resolutely on the water. + +"The canoes are moving again," said Tayoga. "They are coming a little +nearer. I see Frenchmen in some of them and presently they will try to +sweep the bank with their rifles." + +"Our bullets will carry as far as theirs," said the hunter. + +"True, O, Great Bear, and perhaps with surer aim." + +In another moment puffs of white smoke appeared in the fleet, which was +swinging forward in a crescent shape, and Robert heard the whine of lead +over his head. Then Willet pulled the trigger and a warrior fell from his +canoe. Black Rifle's bullet sped as true, and several of the rangers also +found their targets. Yet the fleet pressed the attack. Despite their +losses, the Indians did not give back, the canoes came closer and closer, +many of the warriors dropped into the water behind their vessels and fired +from hiding, bullets rained around the little band on the cliff, and +presently struck among them. Two of the rangers were slain and two more +were wounded. Robert saw the Frenchmen in the fleet encouraging the +Indians, and he knew that their enemies were firing at the smoke made by +the rifles of the defenders. Although he and his comrades were invisible to +the French and Indians in the fleet, the bullets sought them out +nevertheless. Wounds were increasing and another of the rangers was killed. +Theirs was quickly becoming an extremely hot corner. + +But Willet, who commanded at that point, gave no order to retreat. He and +all of his men continued to fire as fast as they could reload and take aim. +Yet to choose a target became more difficult, as the firing from the fleet +made a great cloud of smoke about it, in which the French and Indians were +hidden, or, at best, were but wavering phantoms. Robert's excited +imagination magnified them fivefold, but he had no thought of shirking the +battle, and he crept to the very brink, seeking something at which to fire +in the clouds of smoke that were steadily growing larger and blacker. + +The foes upon the lake fought mostly in silence, save for the crackle of +their rifles, but Robert became conscious presently of a great shouting +behind him. In his concentration upon their own combat he had forgotten the +main battle; but now he realized that it was being pressed with great fury +and upon a half circle from the north and west. He looked back and saw that +the forest was filled with smoke pierced by innumerable red flashes; the +rattle of the rifles there made a continuous crash, and then he heard a +tremendous report, followed by a shout of dismay from the rangers. + +"What is it?" he cried. "What is it?" + +Willet, who was crouched near him, turned pale, but he replied in a steady +voice. + +"St. Luc has brought a field piece, a twelve-pounder, I think, and they've +opened fire with grape-shot. They'll sweep the whole forest. Who'd have +thought it?" + +The battle sank for a moment, and then a tremendous yell of triumph came +from the Indians. Presently, the cannon crashed again, and its deadly +charge of grape took heavy toll of the rangers. Then the lake and the +mountains gave back the heavy boom of the gun in many echoes, and it was +like the toll of doom. The Indians on both water and shore began to shout +in the utmost fury, and Robert detected the note of triumph in the +tremendous volume of sound. His heart went down like lead. Rogers crept +back to Willet and the two talked together earnestly. + +"The cannon changes everything," said the leader of the rangers. "More than +twenty of my men are dead, and nearly twice as many are wounded. 'Tis +apparent they have plenty of grape, and they are sending it like hail +through the forest. The bushes are no shelter, as it cuts through 'em. +Dave, old comrade, what do you think?" + +"That St. Luc is about to have his revenge for the defeat we gave him at +Andiatarocte. The cannon with its grape turns the scale. They come on with +uncommon fury! It seems to me I hear a thousand rifles all together." + +St. Luc now pressed the attack from every side save the south. The French +and Indians in the fleet redoubled their fire. The twelve-pounder was +pushed forward, and, as fast as the expert French gunners could reload it, +the terrible charges of grape-shot were sent among the rangers. More were +slain or wounded. The little band of defenders on the high cliff +overlooking the lake at last found their corner too hot for them and were +compelled to join the main force. Then the French and Indians in the fleet +landed with shouts of triumph and rushed upon the Americans. + +Robert caught glimpses of other Frenchmen as he faced the forest. Once an +epaulet showed behind a bush and then a breadth of tanned face which he was +sure belonged to De Courcelles. And so this man who had sought to make him +the victim of a deadly trick was here! And perhaps Jumonville also! A +furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, +but it disappeared. He crept a little farther forward, hoping for another +view, and Tayoga noticed his eager, questing gaze. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" he asked. "Whom do you hate so much?" + +"I saw the French Colonel, De Courcelles, and I was seeking to draw a bead +on him, but he has gone." + +"Perhaps he has, but another takes his place. Look at the clump of bushes +directly in front of us and you will see a pale blue sleeve which beyond a +doubt holds the arm of a French officer. The arm cannot be far away from +the head and body, which I think we will see in time, if we keep on +looking." + +Both watched the bushes with a concentrated gaze and presently the head and +shoulders, following the arm, disclosed themselves. Robert raised his rifle +and took aim, but as he looked down the sights he saw the face among the +leaves, and a shudder shook him. He lowered his rifle. + +"What is it, Dagaeoga?" whispered the Onondaga. + +"The man I chose for my target," replied Robert, "was not De Courcelles, +nor yet Junonville, but that young De Galissonniere, who was so kind to us +in Quebec, and whom we met later among the peaks. I was about to pull +trigger, and, if I had done so, I should be sorry all my life." + +"Is he still there?" + +Robert looked again and De Galissonniere was gone. He felt immense relief. +He thought it was war's worst cruelty that it often brought friends face to +face in battle. + +The French and Indian horde from the lake landed and drove against the +rangers on the eastern flank with great violence, firing their rifles and +muskets, and then coming on with the tomahawk. The little force of Rogers +was in danger of being enveloped on all sides, and would have been +exterminated had it not been for his valor and presence of mind, seconded +so ably by Willet, Black Rifle and their comrades. + +They formed a barrier of living fire, facing in three directions and +holding back the shouting horde until the main body of the surviving +rangers could gather for retreat. Robert and Tayoga were near Willet, all +the best sharpshooters were there, and never had they fought more valiantly +than on that day. + +Robert crouched among the bushes, peering for the faces of his foes, and +firing whenever he could secure a good aim. + +"Have you seen Tandakora?" he asked Tayoga. + +"No," replied the Onondaga. + +"He must be here. He would not miss such a chance." + +"He is here." + +"But you said you hadn't seen him." + +"I have not seen him, but O, Dagaeoga, I have heard him. Did not we +observe when we were in the forest that ear was often to be trusted more +than eye? Listen to the greatest war shout of them all! You can hear it +every minute or two, rising over all the others, superior in volume as it +is in ferocity. The voice of the Ojibway is huge, like his figure." + +Now, in very truth, Robert did notice the fierce triumphant shout of +Tandakora, over and above the yelling of the horde, and it made him shudder +again and again. It was the cry of the man-hunting wolf, enlarged many +times, and instinct with exultation and ferocity. That terrible cry, rising +at regular intervals, dominated the battle in Robert's mind, and he looked +eagerly for the colossal form of the chief that he might send his bullet +through it, but in vain; the voice was there though his eyes saw nothing at +which to aim. + +Farther and farther back went the rangers, and the youth's heart was filled +with anger and grief. Had they endured so much, had they escaped so many +dangers, merely to take part in such a disaster? Unconsciously he began to +shout in an effort to encourage those with him, and although he did not +know it, it was a reply to the war cries of Tandakora. The smoke and the +odors of the burned gunpowder filled his nostrils and throat, and heated +his brain. Now and then he would stop his own shouting and listen for the +reply of Tandakora. Always it came, the ferocious note of the Ojibway +swelling and rising above the warwhoop of the other Indians. + +"Dagaeoga looks for Tandakora," said the Onondaga. + +"Truly, yes," replied Robert. "Just now it's my greatest wish in life to +find him with a bullet. I hear his voice almost continuously, but I can't +see him! I think the smoke hides him." + +"No, Dagaeoga, it is not the smoke, it is Areskoui. I know it, because the +Sun God has whispered it in my ear. You will hear the voice of Tandakora +all through the battle, but you will not see him once." + +"Why should your Areskoui protect a man like Tandakora, who deserves death, +if anyone ever did?" + +"He protects him, today merely, not always. It is understood that I shall +meet Tandakora in the final reckoning. I told him so, when I was his +captive, and he struck me in the face. It was no will of mine that made me +say the words, but it was Areskoui directing me to utter them. So, I know, +O, my comrade, that Tandakora cannot fall to your rifle now. His time is +not today, but it will come as surely as the sun sets behind the peaks." + +Tayoga spoke with such intense earnestness that Robert looked at him, and +his face, seen through the battle smoke, had all the rapt expression of a +prophet's. The white youth felt, for the moment at least, with all the +depth of conviction, the words of the red youth would come true. Then the +tremendous voice of Tandakora boomed above the firing and yelling, but, as +before, his body remained invisible. Tandakora's Indians, many of whom had +come with him from the far shores of the Great Lakes, showed all the +cunning and courage that made them so redoubtable in forest warfare. Armed +with good French muskets and rifles they crept forward among the thickets, +and poured in an unceasing fire. Encouraged by the success at Oswego, and +by the knowledge that the great St. Luc, the best of all the French +leaders, was commanding the whole force, their ferocity rose to the highest +pitch and it was fed also by the hope that they would destroy all the hated +and dreaded rangers whom they now held in a trap. + +Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds, +and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush, +and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed +boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before +the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal, +always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the +bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers. + +"It's a powerful attack," said Robert. + +"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because +they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded. +They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops." + +"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the +battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This +place is becoming too much exposed." + +They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they +could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely +missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed +closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by +hundreds of rifles and muskets. + +Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around +them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the +rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert +knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his +place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor +and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly +superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with +him in the bushes. + +"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us." + +"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men. +St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap. +There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap." + +"I hate to yield the field." + +"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to +lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your +standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever." + +The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked +sadly upon his fallen men. He was bleeding himself from two slight wounds, +but he paid no attention to them. The need to flee pierced his soul, but +he saw that it must be done, else all the rangers would be destroyed, and, +while he still hesitated a moment or two, the silver whistle of St. Luc, +urging on a fresh and greater attack, rose above all the sounds of combat. +Then he knew that he must wait no longer, and he gave the command for +ordered flight. + +Not more than half of the rangers escaped from that terrible converging +attack. St. Luc's triumph was complete. He had won full revenge for his +defeat by Andiatarocte, and he pushed the pursuit with so much energy and +skill that Rogers bade the surviving rangers scatter in the wilderness to +reassemble again, after their fashion, far to the south. + +Black Rifle remained with the leader, but Robert, Tayoga and Willet +continued their flight together, not stopping until night, when they were +safe from pursuit. As the three went southward through the deep forest, +they saw many trails that they knew to be those of hostile Indians, and +nowhere did they find a sign of a friend. All the wilderness seemed to have +become the country of the enemy. When they looked once more from the lofty +shores upon the vivid waters of George, they beheld canoes, but as they +watched they discovered that they were those of the foe. A terrible fear +clutched at their hearts, a fear that Montcalm, like St. Luc, had struck +already. + +"The tide of battle has flowed south of us," said Tayoga. "All that we find +in the forest proclaims it." + +"I would you were not right, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I fear you +are." + +They came the next day to the trail of a great army, soldiers and cannon. +Night overtook them while they were still near the shores of Lake George, +following the road, left by the French and Indian host as it had advanced +south, and the three, wearied by their long flight, drew back into the +dense thickets for rest. The darkness had come on thicker and heavier than +usual, and they were glad of it, as they were well hidden in its dusky +folds, and they wished to rest without apprehension. + +They had food with them which they ate, and then they wrapped their +blankets about their bodies, because a wind was coming from the lake, and +its touch was damp. Clouds also covered all the skies, and, before long, a +thin, drizzling rain fell. They would have been cold, and, in time, wet to +the bone, but the blankets were sufficient to protect them. + +"Areskoui, after smiling upon us for so long, has now turned his face from +us," said Tayoga. + +"What else can you expect?" said the valiant Willet. "It is always so in +war. You're up and then you're down. We were masters of the peaks for a +while, and by our capture of Garay's letter we kept St. Luc from attacking +Albany, but the stars never fight for you all the time. We couldn't do +anything that would save the rangers from defeat." + +The Onondaga looked up. The others could not see his face, but it was +reverential, and the cold rain that fell upon it had then no chill for +him. Instead it was soothing. + +"Tododaho is on his great star beyond the clouds," he said, "and he is +looking down on us. We have done wrong or he and Areskoui would not have +withdrawn their favor from us, but we have done it unknowingly, and, in +time, they will forgive us. As long as the Onondagas are true to him +Tododaho will watch over them, although at times he may punish them." + +That Tododaho was protecting them even then was proved conclusively to +Tayoga before the night was over. A great war party passed within a hundred +yards of them, going swiftly southward, but the three, swathed in their +blankets, and, hidden in the dark thickets, had no fear. They were merely +three motes in the wilderness and the warriors did not dream that they were +near. When the last sound of their marching had sunk into nothingness, +Tayoga said: + +"It was not the will of Tododaho that they should suspect our presence, but +I fear that they go to a triumph." + +They rose from the thicket early the following morning, and resumed their +flight, but it soon came to a halt, when the Onondaga pointed to a trail in +the forest, made apparently by about twenty warriors. The hawk eye of +Tayoga, however, picked out one trace among them which all three knew was +made by a white man. + +"I know, too," said the red youth, "the white man who made it." + +"Tell us his name," said the hunter, who had full confidence in the +wonderful powers of the Onondaga. + +"It is the Frenchman, Langlade, who held Dagaeoga a prisoner in his village +so long. I know his traces, because I followed them before. His foot is +very small, and it has been less than an hour since he passed here. They +are ahead of us, directly in our path." + +"What do you think we ought to do, Dave?" asked Robert, anxiously. "You +know we want to go south as fast as we can." + +"We must try to go around Langlade," replied Willet. "It's true, we'll lose +time, but it's better to lose time and be late a little than to lose our +lives and never get there at all." + +"The Great Bear is a very wise man," said Tayoga. + +They made at once a sharp curve toward the east, but just when they thought +they were passing parallel with Langlade's band, they were fired upon from +a thicket, the bullet singing by Robert's ear. The three took cover in the +bushes, and a long and trying combat of sharpshooters took place. Two +warriors were slain and both Willet and Tayoga were grazed by the Indian +fire, but they were not hurt. Robert once caught sight of Langlade, and he +might have dropped the partisan with his bullet, but his heart held his +hand. Langlade had shown him many a kindness, during his long captivity +and, although he was a fierce enemy now, the lad was not one to forget. As +he had spared De Galissonniere, so would he spare Langlade, and, in a +moment or two, the Frenchman was gone from his sight. + +Another dark and rainy night came, and, protected by it, they crept in +silence past the partisan's band soon leaving this new danger far behind +them. Tayoga was very grateful, and accepted their escape as a sign. + +"While Manitou, who rules all things, has decreed that we must suffer much +before victory," he said, "yet, as I see it, he has decreed also that we +three shall not fall, else why does he spread so many dangers before us, +and then take us safely through them?" + +"It looks the same way to me," said Willet. "The dark and rainy night that +he sent enabled us to pass by Langlade and his band." + +"A second black night following a first," said Tayoga, devoutly. "I do not +doubt that it was sent for our benefit by Manitou, who is lord even over +Tododaho and Areskoui." + +They made good speed near the shores of Andiatarocte and now and then they +caught glimpses once more through the heavy green foliage of the lake's +glittering waters. But they saw anew the canoes of the French and Indians +upon its surface, and they realized with increasing force that +Andiatarocte, so vital in the great struggle, belonged, for the time at +least, to their enemies. Yet the three themselves were favored. The rain +ceased, a warm wind out of the south dried the forest, and their flight +became easy. A fat deer stood in their path and fairly asked to be shot, +furnishing them all the food they might need for days to come, and they +were able to dress and prepare it at their leisure. + +"It is clear, as I have already surmised and stated," said Tayoga in his +precise language, "that the frown of Manitou is not for us three. The way +opens before us, and we shall rejoin our friends." + +"If we have any friends left," said the hunter. "I fear greatly, Tayoga, +that Montcalm will have struck before we arrive. He has a powerful force +with plenty of cannon, and we know he acts with decision and speed." + +"He has struck already and he has struck terribly," said Tayoga with great +gravity. + +"How do you know that?" asked Robert, startled. + +"I do not know it because of anything that has been told to me in words," +replied the Onondaga, "but O, Dagaeoga, the mind, which is often more +potent than eye or ear, as I have told you so many times, is now warning +me. We know that our people farther south have been in disagreement. The +governors of the provinces have not acted together. Everyone is of his own +mind, and no two minds are alike. No effort was made to profit by the great +victory last year on the shores of Andiatarocte. Waraiyageh, sore in body +and mind, rests at home, so it is not possible that our people have been +ready and vigorous." + +"While the French and Indians are all that we are not?" + +"Even so. Montcalm advances with great speed, and knows precisely what he +intends to do. He has had plenty of time to reach our forts below. His +force is overwhelming, though more so in preparation and decision, than in +numbers. He has had time to strike, and being Montcalm, therefore he has +struck. There is no chance of error, O, Dagaeoga and Great Bear, when I +tell you a heavy blow has fallen upon us." + +"I don't want to believe you, Tayoga," said the hunter, "but I do. The +conclusion seems inevitable to me." + +"I'm hoping when hope's but faint," said Robert. + +They swung again into the great trail, left by the army of Montcalm, or at +least a part of it, and the Onondaga and the hunter told its tale with +precision. + +"Here passed the cannon," said Tayoga. "I judge by the size of the ruts the +wheels made that a battery of twelve pounders went this way. What do you +say, Great Bear?" + +"You're right, of course, Tayoga, and there were eight guns in the battery; +a child could tell their number. They had other batteries too." + +"And the wooden walls of our forts wouldn't stand much chance against a +continuous fire of twelve and eighteen pounders," said Robert. + +"No," said Willet. "The forts could be saved only by enterprising and +skillful commanders who would drive away the batteries." + +"Here went the warriors," said Tayoga. "They were on the outer edges of the +great trail, walking lightly, according to their custom. See the traces of +the moccasins, scores and scores of them. We will come very soon to a place +where the whole army camped for the night. How do I know, O, Dagaeoga? +Because numerous trails are coming in from the forest and converging upon +one point. They do that because it is time to gather for food and the +night's rest. Some of the warriors went into the forest to hunt game, and +they found it, too. Look at the drops of blood, still faintly showing on +the grass, leading here, and here, and here into the main trail, drops that +fell from the deer they had slain. Also they shot birds. Behold feathers +hanging on the bushes, blown there by the wind, which proves that the site +of their camp is very near, as I said." + +"It's just over the hill in that wide, shallow valley," said Willet. + +They entered the valley which had been marked by the departed army with +signs as clear as the print of a book for the Onondaga and the hunter to +read. + +"Here at the northern end of the valley is where the warriors cooked and +ate the deer they had slain," said Tayoga. "The bones are scattered all +about, and we see the ashes of their fires, but they kept mostly to +themselves, because few footprints of white men lead to the place they set +aside as their own. Just beyond them the cannon were parked. All this is +very simple. An Onondaga child eight years old could read what is written +in this camp. Here are the impressions made by the cannon wheels, and just +beside them the artillery horses were tethered, as the numerous hoofprints +show." + +"And here, I imagine," said Robert, who had walked on, "the Marquis de +Montcalm and his lieutenants spent the night. Tents were pitched for them. +You can see the holes left by the pegs." + +"Spoken truly, O, Dagaeoga. You are using eye and mind, and lo! you are +showing once more the beginnings of wisdom. Four tents were pitched. The +rest of the army slept in the open. Montcalm and his lieutenants +themselves would have done so, but the setting up of the tents inspired +respect in the warriors and even in the troops. The French leaders have +mind and they profit by it. They neglect no precaution, no detail to +increase their prestige and maintain their authority." + +"It is so, Tayoga," said Willet, "and I can wish that our own officers +would do the same. The French are marvelously expert in dealing with +Indians. They can handle them all, except the Hodenosaunee. But don't you +think they held a short council here by this log, after they had eaten +their suppers?" + +"It cannot be doubted, Great Bear. Montcalm and his captains sat on the +log. The Indian chiefs sat in a half circle before it, and they smoked a +pipe. See, the traces of the ashes on the grass. They were planning the +attack upon the fort. It is bound to be William Henry, because the trail +leads in that direction." + +"And these marks on the log, Tayoga, show that there was some indecision, +at first, and much talking. Two or three of the French officers had their +hunting knives in their hands, and they carved nervously at the log, just +as a man will often whittle as he argues." + +"Well stated, O, Great Bear. After the conference, the chiefs went back in +single file to their own part of the camp. Here goes their trail, and you +can nearly fancy that all stepped exactly in the footprints of the first." + +"The straight, decisive line proves too, Tayoga, that the plan was +completed and everything ready for the attack. The chiefs would not have +gone away in such a manner if they had not been satisfied." + +"Well stated again, Great Bear. The Marquis de Montcalm also went directly +back to his tent. See, where the boot heels pressed." + +"But you have no way of knowing," said Robert, "that the traces of boot +heels indicate the Marquis." + +"O, Dagaeoga, after all my teaching, you forget again that mind can see +where the eye cannot. Train the mind! Train the mind, and you will get much +profit from it. The traces of these boot heels lead directly to the place +where the largest tent stood. We know it was the largest, because the holes +left by the tent pegs are farthest apart. And we know it belonged to the +Marquis de Montcalm, because, always having that keen eye for effect, the +French Commander-in-Chief would have no tent but the largest." + +"True as Gospel, Tayoga," said the hunter, "and the French officers +themselves had a little conference in the tent of the Marquis, after they +had finished with the Indian chiefs. Here, within the square made by the +pegs, are the prints of many boot heels and they were not all made by the +Marquis, since they are of different sizes. Probably they were completing +some plans in regard to the artillery, since the warriors would have +nothing to do with the big guns. Here are ashes, too, in the corner near +one of the pegs. I think it likely that the Marquis smoked a thoughtful +pipe after all the others had gone." + +"Aye, Dave," said Robert, "and he had much to think about. The officers +from Europe find things tremendously changed when they come from their +open fields into this mighty wilderness. We know what happened to Braddock, +because we saw it, and we had a part in it. I can understand his mistake. +How could a soldier from Europe read the signs of the forest, signs that he +had never seen before, and foresee the ambush?" + +"He couldn't, Robert, lad, but while countries change in character men +themselves don't. Braddock was brave, but he should have remembered that he +was not in Europe. The Marquis de Montcalm remembers it. He made no mistake +at Oswego and he is making none here. He took the Indian chiefs into +council, as we have just seen. He placates them, he humors their whims, and +he draws out of them their full fighting power to be used for the French +cause." + +Tayoga ranged about the shallow valley a little, and announced that the +whole force had gone on together the morning after the encampment. + +"The artillery and the infantry were in close ranks," he said, "and the +warriors were on either flank, scouting in the forest, forming a fringe +which kept off possible scouts of the English and Americans. There was no +chance of a surprise attack which would cut up the forces of Montcalm and +impede his advance." + +Willet sighed. + +"The Marquis, although he may not have known it," he said, "was in no +danger from such an enterprise. We have read the signs too well, Tayoga. +Our own people have been lying in their forts, weak of will, waiting to +defend themselves, while the French and their allies have had all the +wilderness to range over, and in which they might do as they pleased. It is +easy to see where the advantage lies." + +"And we shall soon learn what has happened," said Tayoga, gravely. + +The next morning they met an American scout who told them the terrible news +of the capture of Fort William Henry, with its entire garrison, by +Montcalm, and the slaughter afterward of many of the prisoners by the +Indians. + +Robert was appalled. + +"Is Lake George to remain our only victory?" he exclaimed. + +"It's better to have a bad beginning and a good ending than a good +beginning and a bad ending," said the scout. + +"Remember," said Tayoga, "how Areskoui watched over us, when we were among +the peaks. As he watched over us then so later on he will watch over our +cause." + +"It was only for a moment that I felt despair," said Robert. "It is certain +that victory always comes to those who know how to work and wait." + +Courage rose anew in their hearts, and once more they sped southward, +resolved to make greater efforts than any that had gone before. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masters of the Peaks, by Joseph A. 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